naughtily

IPA/ˈnɔːtəli/
IPA/ˈnɔːtəli/

naughtily — adverb

1. showing the sort of small bad behavior children have when they break rules or re

1.副詞B2
釋義

showing the sort of small bad behavior children have when they break rules or refuse to obey.

例句

Zuri naughtily drew suns on the kitchen wall with a blue crayon.

naughtily + drew for a child's mild rule-breaking

Ilan naughtily splashed bath water onto the floor and laughed.

naughtily + splashed showing playful misbehavior

同義詞
  • mischievously

    stresses playful tricks or pranks more than simple bad behavior

  • disobediently

    stronger and more focused on refusing a clear order

  • badly

    much broader and less playful; it does not suggest childish mischief

反義詞
  • obediently

    following instructions instead of breaking them

  • politely

    stresses good manners rather than playful rule-breaking

文法句型

behave naughtily

naughtily + verb of hiding, drawing, splashing, or feeding

verb + naughtily

用法筆記

Usually describes children doing something mildly wrong, such as ignoring a parent, breaking a house rule, or making a small mess for fun. It sounds lighter than 'badly' and often carries a tone of amused disapproval.

常見錯誤

❌The gang naughtily smashed every window in the shop.
✅The gang violently smashed every window in the shop.
💡'naughtily' is too light for serious crime or major damage.
❌The river naughtily ran over the stones.
✅The river ran noisily over the stones.
💡'naughtily' needs behavior seen as willfully bad, not natural movement.

2. with joking disapproval, especially of an adult doing something a little bad, si

2.副詞B2
釋義

with joking disapproval, especially of an adult doing something a little bad, silly, or childlike.

例句

Christopher naughtily tasted the soup before the host called everyone in.

naughtily about an adult doing a mildly improper thing

Anong naughtily took the best pastry before offering the box around.

naughtily + took for a playful selfish act

同義詞
  • cheekily

    adds bold or slightly rude attitude, especially in what someone says

  • impishly

    more literary and charming in tone

  • mischievously

    focuses more on playful trick-making than on amused moral judgment

反義詞
  • properly

    behaving in the correct or expected way

  • respectfully

    acting with restraint instead of playful badness

文法句型

naughtily + verb

smile naughtily

say something naughtily

用法筆記

This sense is often used with a smile when an adult behaves in a mildly improper or teasing way, as if acting like a child for a moment. It is softer and more amused than real moral criticism.

常見錯誤

❌The minister naughtily lied about the accident.
✅The minister shamelessly lied about the accident.
💡for serious moral criticism, 'naughtily' sounds joking and too soft.
❌The doctor naughtily ignored the test results.
✅The doctor irresponsibly ignored the test results.
💡this word does not fit harmful or professional wrongdoing.

3. with teasing sexual meaning, or with a mildly improper tone meant to sound sexy.

3.副詞C1
釋義

with teasing sexual meaning, or with a mildly improper tone meant to sound sexy.

例句

Hari naughtily asked whether the hotel bed was really that small.

naughtily + asked with sexual suggestion

Elise smiled naughtily as she unbuttoned the top button of Nikos's shirt.

smiled naughtily in a flirtatious physical scene

同義詞
  • flirtatiously

    more focused on playful attraction and less on mild rudeness

  • suggestively

    more neutral and direct about sexual implication

  • provocatively

    stronger and often more deliberate or shocking

反義詞
  • innocently

    without sexual suggestion

  • modestly

    behaving or presenting oneself without provocative effect

文法句型

smile naughtily

ask naughtily

whisper naughtily

用法筆記

Here the word points to flirtation or sexual suggestion rather than simple childish bad behavior. It often appears with smiles, whispers, looks, or remarks that are meant to sound provocative without being openly explicit.

常見錯誤

❌She dressed naughtily for the winter hike.
✅She dressed lightly for the winter hike.
💡this sense is about sexual suggestion, not simply wearing too few clothes for the weather.
❌The joke was naughtily difficult to understand.
✅The joke was surprisingly difficult to understand.
💡'naughtily' cannot just mean 'oddly' or 'unexpectedly'.