usefullyadv.
/ˈjuːsfᵿli/, /ˈjuːsfl̩i/, U.S. /ˈjusf(ə)li/ In a useful manner; to a useful end or purpose; beneficially, profitably, serviceably.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > [adverb]
behovelyc1430
behovefully1443
better?1518
behovingly1556
usefully1616
serviceably1628
1616 T. Adams Divine Herball iii. 65 A good life is a good sallet: and in the second place to precepts, are vsefully necessary good examples.
a1640 P. Massinger & J. Fletcher Very Woman iii. ii. 15 in P. Massinger 3 New Playes (1655) Serve usefully, Serve all with diligence.
1656 A. Cowley Davideis iii. 91 in Poems How the kind Sun usefully comes and goes.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 145. ⁋2 You cannot employ yourself more usefully.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. xxx. 175 Whose arms would have been more usefully employed to maintain the Roman limits.
1807 G. Chalmers Caledonia I. iii. v. §3. 357 The notices of topography come in here, usefully, to illustrate the obscurity of history.
1868 A. W. Kinglake Invasion of Crimea III. viii. 144 It was hardly one which could be usefully submitted to a numerous assembly.
1880 A. H. Huth Life & Writings H. T. Buckle II. 257 Mr. Buckle's interjections come in very usefully to help Mr. Glennie along.
1900 Queensland Agric. Jrnl. 6 371 Few edibles in the range of domestic cookery lend themselves more usefully to the stocking of a housewife's cupboard.
1959 Times 7 Dec. (Agric. Suppl.) p. vi/4 Radiation..could be usefully applied for the disinfestation of products handled in bulk.
2005 Independent 7 Mar. 30/4 Perhaps some players might usefully be offered the option of anger management courses.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.1616