WILDLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does wildly mean? 

• WILDLY (adverb)
  The adverb WILDLY has 3 senses:

1. to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree

2. in an uncontrolled or unrestrained manner

3. with violent and uncontrollable passion

  Familiarity information: WILDLY used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WILDLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

To an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree

Context example:

the storyline is wildly unrealistic

Pertainym:

wild (marked by extreme lack of restraint or control)

Sense 2

Meaning:

In an uncontrolled or unrestrained manner

Context example:

He gesticulated wildly

Pertainym:

wild (in a state of extreme emotion)

Sense 3

Meaning:

With violent and uncontrollable passion

Context example:

attacked wildly, slashing and stabbing over and over

Pertainym:

wild (in a state of extreme emotion)

 Context examples 

"No, no, no," cried Marianne wildly, "he loves you, and only you. You CAN have no grief."

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

With a scream of terror I turned and rushed wildly down the path.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then we raced, and wildly, across the wild sea, the while I hung like a fly in the crosstrees and searched for the other boats.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Hans looked at nothing, but Edith's eyes wandered wildly from detail to detail of what had taken place.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

“And I stand talking here!” cried Alleyne wildly.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He ran wildly to the door.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

How he calls aloud a name, and drops his burden, and gazes on it wildly!

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Some ran wildly up and down along the beach, crying for help where no help could be.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Mother cried out in a fright, and struggled up into a sitting posture, and clutched wildly at anything that would help her.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

White Fang sprang to his feet and tore wildly around, trying to shake off the bull-dog's body.

(White Fang, by Jack London)