gingerly

UK: /ˈdʒɪndʒə^rli/ US: /ˈdʒɪndʒɚli/ ,(jin′jər lē)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

gin•ger•ly /ˈdʒɪndʒɚli/   adv. 

1. with great care or caution;
   warily:
   I stepped gingerly over the broken glass.

adj. 

2. cautious;
   careful:
   walking in a gingerly manner.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

gin•ger•ly  (jin′jər lē), adv. 

1. with great care or caution;
   warily.

adj. 

2. cautious, careful, or wary.

• Middle French gensor, genzor delicate, pretty, positive use of compar. of gent gentle; see -ly
• ginger-, perh. 1510–20

gin′ger•li•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. cautiously, carefully, prudently.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

gingerly / ˈdʒɪndʒəlɪ/ adverb

1. in a cautious, reluctant, or timid manner

adjective

1. cautious, reluctant, or timid

Etymology: 16th Century: perhaps from Old French gensor dainty, from gent of noble birth; see gentle