The word "startingly" is spelled with an -ly suffix, indicating that it is an adverb derived from the word "startling." The first syllable is pronounced with the "st" consonant cluster followed by the vowel sound /ɑr/. The second syllable consists of the consonant sound /t/ followed by the vowel sound /li/. The phonetic transcription of "startingly" is /ˈstɑrt.liŋ.li/, with stress on the first syllable. This word denotes sudden, unexpected, or surprising events or actions.
Startingly is an adverb that describes something that occurs or happens in a manner that is unexpected, surprising, or remarkable. It is derived from the word "startle," which means to cause someone to feel sudden surprise or shock. Startingly can be used to evoke a sense of astonishment or disbelief, often implying that the event or action being described is striking or unusual.
When used to describe a phenomenon, an event, or an action, startingly suggests that it caught the attention of the observer due to its sudden or unexpected nature. For example, one may say, "The fireworks were startingly beautiful, illuminating the night sky with vibrant colors and captivating everyone's attention." In this context, "startingly" emphasizes the surprising and powerful visual impact of the fireworks that surprised and amazed the observers.
Similarly, "startingly" can be used to describe a change or development that is abrupt or unforeseen. For instance, "The sudden rain shower on a sunny day was startingly refreshing, cooling down the sweltering heat and taking everyone by surprise." This usage emphasizes how the unexpected rain brought an immediate sense of relief and stood out due to its contrasting nature.
In summary, startingly refers to something that is unexpected, remarkable, or surprising in nature. It conveys a sense of astonishment or shock, highlighting the sudden or remarkable qualities of the described event, action, or phenomenon.
The word startlingly is derived from the base word startle, which dates back to the late 16th century. Startle initially originated as a frequentative form of the verb start, which means to move or jump suddenly in fright or surprise. The Middle Dutch word starten and the Middle Low German word sturten are considered to be the possible sources for this verb. Over time, the adverb startlingly was created by adding the common adverbial suffix -ly to the word startling, which means causing sudden fright or surprise.