How Do You Spell DEFENSIVELY?

Pronunciation: [dɪfˈɛnsɪvli] (IPA)

The word "defensively" is spelled with the prefix "de-" indicating negation, followed by the root word "fensive" meaning 'relating to defense'. The suffix "-ly" is added to indicate that the adverb form of the word is being used. The correct IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /dɪˈfɛnsɪvli/, with the stress on the second syllable. The 'e' in the second syllable is pronounced with an open-mid vowel 'ɛ', followed by the consonant blend 'ns'. The last two syllables are pronounced with a schwa sound.

DEFENSIVELY Meaning and Definition

  1. "Defensively" is an adverb that refers to an action or behavior characterized by a defensive attitude or disposition. It describes the act of protecting oneself or something from harm, danger, or criticism, often as a response to a perceived threat or attack.

    In terms of personal interactions or arguments, something done "defensively" typically indicates a response that is guarded or intended to protect oneself from perceived harm. This could involve responding with a defensive attitude, tone, or language to protect one's integrity or beliefs from being challenged or questioned. It may involve justifying one's actions or position to avoid criticism or negative consequences.

    On the other hand, "defensively" is also used in a sports context, particularly in games such as basketball or soccer. In this context, it refers to a strategy or technique employed by a team or player to prevent the opposing team from successfully scoring or advancing. This involves maintaining a strong and vigilant position in order to stop or intercept the opponent's actions, often to prevent them from gaining an advantage or making progress towards their goal.

    In summary, "defensively" describes both personal and sports-related actions taken to protect oneself or something from harm, criticism, or attack. It embodies the idea of being cautious, guarded, or protective, aiming to prevent a perceived threat from succeeding or causing damage.

Top Common Misspellings for DEFENSIVELY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DEFENSIVELY

Etymology of DEFENSIVELY

The word "defensively" is derived from the adjective "defensive", which ultimately comes from the Latin word "defendere". "Defendere" means "to fend off" or "to protect", and it is a combination of the prefix "de-" (meaning "from" or "away") and the verb "fendere" (meaning "to strike" or "to push"). Therefore, "defensively" can be understood as relating to the act of defending, protecting oneself or something from harm or attack.

Similar spelling words for DEFENSIVELY

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