DISMALLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does dismally mean? 

• DISMALLY (adverb)
  The adverb DISMALLY has 2 senses:

1. in a cheerless manner

2. in a dreadful manner

  Familiarity information: DISMALLY used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DISMALLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a cheerless manner

Synonyms:

dismally; drearily

Context example:

in August 1914, there was a dismally sentimental little dinner, when the French, German, Austrian and Belgian members of the committee drank together to the peace of the future

Pertainym:

dismal (causing dejection)

Sense 2

Meaning:

In a dreadful manner

Synonyms:

dismally; dreadfully

Context example:

as he looks at the mess he has left behind he must wonder how the Brits so often managed to succeed in the kind of situation where he has so dismally failed

 Context examples 

As it was, the jar made her catch her breath and wonder what had happened; and Toto put his cold little nose into her face and whined dismally.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

"I wish it was Christmas or New Year's all the time. Wouldn't it be fun?" answered Jo, yawning dismally.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Sometimes she would cry bitterly for hours, with Toto sitting at her feet and looking into her face, whining dismally to show how sorry he was for his little mistress.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

Lotty, with Teutonic phlegm, was calmly eating bread and currant wine, for the jelly was still in a hopelessly liquid state, while Mrs. Brooke, with her apron over her head, sat sobbing dismally.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

This new order of things disgusted him, and he howled dismally for 'Marmar', as his angry passions subsided, and recollections of his tender bondwoman returned to the captive autocrat.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Being sure that no one could do it so well as herself, she went straight to Mr. Laurence, told the hard story bravely through, and then broke down, crying so dismally over her own insensibility that the kind old gentleman, though sorely disappointed, did not utter a reproach.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

"I was trying to get something for Meg, who is very tired, and someone shook me, and here I am in a nice state," answered Jo, glancing dismally from the stained skirt to the coffee-colored glove.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

"Imagine marrying anybody in this heat!" cried Jordan dismally.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)