derisively

/dɪˈɹaɪsɪvli/

//dɪˈɹaɪsɪvli// adv

"derisively" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“derisively” is uncommon English (frequency #67,363 among 3,470 “D” headwords), classed as an adverb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#67,363
frequency rank, English
3,470
“D” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - In a derisive manner; demeaningly, mockingly.

Corpus desk

Index EN-derisively · derisively · English

derisively · rank #67,363 · 0 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-RARE #67,363
  • LEN-MEGA 10 letters
  • VOW-5 5 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-0 0 variants
  • BOOK-MID 3,470
  • PHOTO-FINISH designee

Nearest frequency peer: designee (+1 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Long-tail ranks near “derisively”

Sparse band: bars invert rank so rarer forms read shorter

corpus weight

What this shows Long-tail view: where “derisively” sits against similarly uncommon English ranks.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026
Key facts for derisively
PropertyValue
Headwordderisively
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechAdverb
IPA/dɪˈɹaɪsɪvli/
Letters10
Frequency rank#67,363
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Long-tail rank of “derisively” in English

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right).derisivelyfalls in this rarity band:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Ticks step logarithmically, so each one marks a roughly tenfold drop in how often the word turns up. Rare peers in the same band: “designee” (#67,364), “demote” (#67,360), “Demerara” (#67,359). Among 3,470 “D” headwords, “derisively” is #67,363. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

derisively is uncommon English at frequency #67,363 among 3,470 “D” headwords, classed as anadverb, transcribed /dɪˈɹaɪsɪvli/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. Gloss: "In a derisive manner; demeaningly, mockingly.".

We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for derisively, which points to an orthography that plays by predictable English rules. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, a sign it's visually distinctive enough not to be mixed up with another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: From derisive + -ly. The correct English form is derisively, spelled D-E-R-I-S-I-V-E-L-Y.

Definition

  1. 1
    In a derisive manner; demeaningly, mockingly.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how derisively appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. As ſometimes, with us, a queſtion is put deriſively, in the form of an aſſertion, when the propoſer conceives, as ſeems to have happened here, ſome abſurdity in the thing, I thought it beſt, after the example of ſo many Lat[in] interpreters, to adopt the equivocal, or rather the oblique, form of the original expreſſion. The ambiguity is not real, but appa…
  2. In the personal bearing of Gustavus Adolphus [of Sweden], more distinctly than in his high aims, it now became evident that he deemed himself free from the obligations of deference to others, and regarded his own aspirations as his sole standard of action; he expressed himself to the Marquis as disapproving of the French King's course because he did not s…

Etymology

From derisive + -ly.

Synonyms

This word in other languages

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "derisively"?
"derisively" is spelled D-E-R-I-S-I-V-E-L-Y. The IPA pronunciation is /dɪˈɹaɪsɪvli/.
What does "derisively" mean?
As an adverb, "derisively" means: In a derisive manner; demeaningly, mockingly.
How do you pronounce "derisively"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "derisively" is /dɪˈɹaɪsɪvli/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "derisively"?
From derisive + -ly. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "derisively", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 10 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list