Definition

In a manner that is covered with or resembles soot, which is a black powdery substance produced by burning organic matter.

Example

The chimney swept the sootily blackened walls clean after the fire.

Conversation

Did you notice how sootily the fireplace looked after the party?

Yeah, it was a bit messy, wasn’t it?

I guess we should have cleaned it up right away.

For sure! It would have looked much better without all that soot.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sootily → It is formed from "soot" (from Old English *sōt*, meaning a black powdery substance produced by burning organic matter) and "-ily" (a suffix used to form adverbs meaning in a manner of). The word "sootily" means in a manner that is covered with or resembles soot.

Memory Tip

Think of the black powdery substance ('soot') and how something can be done 'in a manner of' ('-ily') being covered in it. This helps you remember that 'sootily' describes something done in a way that involves soot.

Visually Confused Words