Zanily
What it means
In an amusingly unconventional and lively manner.
Reach for it when describing comic oddness that delights rather than humiliates
The puppets danced zanily across the stage during intermission.
Words to choose between 6
| playful |
|
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| formal | |
| literary |
-
playful
wackily
Fits when conspicuous comic oddness is the whole effect
Careful Wackily is slangier and can sound dismissive of real eccentricity.
-
everyday
goofily
Fits when harmless physical silliness creates the humor
Careful Goofily suggests clumsiness more than inventive unconventionality.
-
warm
Fits when fun matters more than strangeness
Careful Playful action can be conventional and gentle rather than zany.
-
formal
eccentrically
Fits when departure from convention should be stated neutrally
Careful Eccentric behavior may be serious and not funny at all.
-
literary
absurdly
Fits when comic impossibility or illogic is central
Careful Absurdly can criticize something unreasonable rather than praise play.
-
literary
Fits when fanciful imagination shapes the manner
Careful Whimsy is softer and less chaotic than zaniness.
Opposites 3
- solemnly
- conventionally
- stiffly
Common phrases 3
-
dance zanily
The paper birds dance zanily whenever the fan starts.
-
dress zanily
Guests could dress zanily without making any culture a costume.
-
behave zanily
The actors behave zanily onstage and reset the props with care.
Word family 2
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated