Gingerly
adverb
In a careful or cautious manner.
She stepped gingerly on the slippery surface to avoid falling.
Often appears as...
- walk gingerly
- step gingerly
adjective
Showing great care or caution.
With a gingerly motion, he lifted the delicate artifact from its box.
Often appears as...
- gingerly approach
- gingerly touch
adverb
In a careful or cautious manner.
She stepped gingerly on the slippery surface to avoid falling.
Often appears as...
- walk gingerly
- step gingerly
adjective
Showing great care or caution.
With a gingerly motion, he lifted the delicate artifact from its box.
Often appears as...
- gingerly approach
- gingerly touch
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Caution
Use 'gingerly' when being physically careful to avoid harm or damage.
He handled the glass figurines gingerly.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Sense
'Gingerly' can be used metaphorically to describe a delicate approach to sensitive topics.
She broached the subject of retirement gingerly.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Subtext
Using 'gingerly' can imply anxiety or fear of negative outcomes in the action described.
He gingerly asked for a day off, fearing rejection.
Compare with
carefulcautiousdelicatelighttiptoe
Never forget "Gingerly"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Ross Ice Shelf Research...
we're going to discover no one's ever done this before it's exploration it's going to be interesting from this point on we've got four hours pouring into the shear zone very gingerly make your way through what's essentially a minefield of grasses knowing that it's it's my responsibility to make sure that
Video examples
The Curious Life of a...
Once we figure out there are no obstacles in the way, we are going to lower our Rover on three shoestrings and an umbilical cord. Really gingerly hit the ground and once we sense slack in the cables. The cables go slack, we cut the three umbilical cords and the descent stage fires up and flies away.
Video examples
Inside a Retirement Home...
I like that now it is some of these guys because they have been used in research some of them are afraid of the grass it's a foreign substrate to them so they're really hesitant they look around for affirmation like is this okay and they'll touch it gingerly and some of
Video examples
Re-envision what it...
somebody had gotten the memo on good sportsmanship and it wasn't me for the first time in my life I started seeing that Dwayne's focus had always been on putting other people first well my first niece was born he would hold her so gingerly and tightly and so
Video examples
Build a tower, build a...
assembling the sticks into ever-growing structures. And then finally, just as they're running out of time, someone takes out the marshmallow, and then they gingerly put it on top, and then they stand back, and -- ta-da! -- they admire their work.
Video examples
Ants Attack Termite...
this is unknown territory anything could be lying in wait down there a worker gingerly explores the gaping hole and a scouting party lays a scent trail for others to follow
Video examples
Are China and the US...
And they walked into this cafe quietly, tentatively, gingerly, a little anxious. I think you know what I'm talking about. But the day after the apology, what happened?
Video examples
Rites of Manhood:...
for the next two weeks the men go through the same routine they gingerly wash their open wounds according fresh pain in the cold water if I didn't wash
Video examples
Defending the ant nest...
A worker gingerly explores the gaping hole, and a scouting party lays a scent trail for others to follow. Activity increases.
Video examples
5 Reasons Ants Are...
a worker gingerly explores the gaping hole and a scouting party lays a scent trail for others to follow
Video examples
Ross Ice Shelf Research...
we're going to discover no one's ever done this before it's exploration it's going to be interesting from this point on we've got four hours pouring into the shear zone very gingerly make your way through what's essentially a minefield of grasses knowing that it's it's my responsibility to make sure that
Video examples
The Curious Life of a...
Once we figure out there are no obstacles in the way, we are going to lower our Rover on three shoestrings and an umbilical cord. Really gingerly hit the ground and once we sense slack in the cables. The cables go slack, we cut the three umbilical cords and the descent stage fires up and flies away.
Video examples
Inside a Retirement Home...
I like that now it is some of these guys because they have been used in research some of them are afraid of the grass it's a foreign substrate to them so they're really hesitant they look around for affirmation like is this okay and they'll touch it gingerly and some of
Video examples
Re-envision what it...
somebody had gotten the memo on good sportsmanship and it wasn't me for the first time in my life I started seeing that Dwayne's focus had always been on putting other people first well my first niece was born he would hold her so gingerly and tightly and so
Video examples
Build a tower, build a...
assembling the sticks into ever-growing structures. And then finally, just as they're running out of time, someone takes out the marshmallow, and then they gingerly put it on top, and then they stand back, and -- ta-da! -- they admire their work.
Video examples
Ants Attack Termite...
this is unknown territory anything could be lying in wait down there a worker gingerly explores the gaping hole and a scouting party lays a scent trail for others to follow
Video examples
Are China and the US...
And they walked into this cafe quietly, tentatively, gingerly, a little anxious. I think you know what I'm talking about. But the day after the apology, what happened?
Video examples
Rites of Manhood:...
for the next two weeks the men go through the same routine they gingerly wash their open wounds according fresh pain in the cold water if I didn't wash
Video examples
Defending the ant nest...
A worker gingerly explores the gaping hole, and a scouting party lays a scent trail for others to follow. Activity increases.
Video examples
5 Reasons Ants Are...
a worker gingerly explores the gaping hole and a scouting party lays a scent trail for others to follow
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Michelle Malkin
American Writer
It's time for a 21st-century retirement age. If 40 is the new 20 and 50 is the new 30, why shouldn't 70 be the new 65? The last time Washington politicians tinkered ever so gingerly with the government-sanctioned retirement age, Ronald Reagan was in office and Generation X-ers were all in diapers.
Quote examples
Charlie Brooker
English Critic
When a monk takes a vow of silence, is he still allowed to post messages on the Internet? Chances are God won't find out. Being ancient, God probably can't work computers. He holds the mouse gingerly, like it's made of fine china.
Quote examples
Rosamund Pike
British Actress
It's not easy casting the men. You have to go gingerly, but you have to approach the right man at the right time because men don't want to play second fiddle to a woman. That's the truth.
Quote examples
Maximillian Degenerez
Portuguese Artist
Step on the moist, pillowsoft earth, walking gingerly aside a weeping steam that calls your name, for it knows how to heal a wounded heart.
Quote examples
Michelle Malkin
American Writer
It's time for a 21st-century retirement age. If 40 is the new 20 and 50 is the new 30, why shouldn't 70 be the new 65? The last time Washington politicians tinkered ever so gingerly with the government-sanctioned retirement age, Ronald Reagan was in office and Generation X-ers were all in diapers.
Quote examples
Charlie Brooker
English Critic
When a monk takes a vow of silence, is he still allowed to post messages on the Internet? Chances are God won't find out. Being ancient, God probably can't work computers. He holds the mouse gingerly, like it's made of fine china.
Quote examples
Rosamund Pike
British Actress
It's not easy casting the men. You have to go gingerly, but you have to approach the right man at the right time because men don't want to play second fiddle to a woman. That's the truth.
Quote examples
Maximillian Degenerez
Portuguese Artist
Step on the moist, pillowsoft earth, walking gingerly aside a weeping steam that calls your name, for it knows how to heal a wounded heart.
Example 1 of 4
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension