excitedly

Excitedly is an English adverb used to describe the manner in which an action is performed, specifically indicating high energy, enthusiasm, or aroused emotion. It is formed from the adjective excited plus the adverbial suffix -ly. The word is most commonly used to modify verbs, signaling how something is done, as in: "She spoke excitedly about the project" or "The crowd cheered excitedly."

The usage of excitedly generally conveys positive or heightened emotional involvement, though the exact tone can vary with context. It can describe speech, movement, reactions, or the pace of action. In formal writing, writers sometimes opt for less emotionally loaded alternatives such as "with great enthusiasm" or "enthusiastically," but excitedly remains common in both everyday and journalistic English.

Grammatically, excitedly is a regular adverb. It is distinct from the participial adjective excited (which characterizes a subject as being in a state of excitement) and from the present participle adjective exciting (which describes something that causes excitement). The distinction affects not only meaning but also grammar when forming sentences, since excitedly modifies how an action is performed rather than describing the subject or object directly.

Etymology traces excitedly to the adjective excited, from the Latin excitatus via the verb excitare meaning to stir up or arouse; the -ly suffix is a standard English derivational ending that marks adverbs of manner. Examples illustrate typical usage in contemporary English.