PROFESSEDLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does professedly mean? 

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

1. with pretense or intention to deceive

2. by open declaration

  Familiarity information: PROFESSEDLY used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PROFESSEDLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

With pretense or intention to deceive

Context example:

is only professedly poor

Pertainym:

professed (claimed with intent to deceive)

Sense 2

Meaning:

By open declaration

Synonyms:

avowedly; professedly

Context example:

Susan Smith was professedly guilty of the murders

Pertainym:

professed (openly declared as such)

 Context examples 

It was every day implied, but never professedly declared.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The friendship between himself and me increased continually, and it was maintained on this odd footing: that, while Mr. Dick came professedly to look after me as my guardian, he always consulted me in any little matter of doubt that arose, and invariably guided himself by my advice; not only having a high respect for my native sagacity, but considering that I inherited a good deal from my aunt.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Jane had come to Highbury professedly for three months; the Campbells were gone to Ireland for three months; but now the Campbells had promised their daughter to stay at least till Midsummer, and fresh invitations had arrived for her to join them there.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Their hours were therefore made over to Lady Middleton and the two Miss Steeles, by whom their company, in fact was as little valued, as it was professedly sought.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

But unfortunately in bestowing these embraces, a pin in her ladyship's head dress slightly scratching the child's neck, produced from this pattern of gentleness such violent screams, as could hardly be outdone by any creature professedly noisy.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)