in a way that looks, sounds, or feels very attractive and pleasing
The pianist played the melody beautifully, bringing the audience to tears.
Roses of many colors bloomed beautifully in the morning sunlight.
✦ formed in Middle English by adding the adverb suffix “-ly” to the adjective “beautiful”, itself from “beauty” + “-ful”.
very well or perfectly, especially when something works smoothly or successfully
After some repairs, the old motorcycle ran beautifully again.
The whole plan came together beautifully, and the festival was a hit.
✦ same origin as the core sense: “beautiful” + “-ly”, later broadened for figurative use meaning “perfectly”.
