rightly
For sure or properly; often in "I don't rightly know."
Updated September 24, 2026
rightly pronunciation
/RITE-lee/
Meaning
Rightly means truly, exactly, or for certain. In rural Southern and Appalachian talk the stock line is I don't rightly know, a soft way to say you are not sure. You can also hear can't rightly say or can't rightly tell. It is not fancy grammar. It is porch-honest hedging.
How folks use it
- “I don't rightly know when they'll get back from town.”
- “I can't rightly say which road is shorter.”
Origin and etymology
Older English used rightly for truly or properly. That sense stuck in rural American speech, especially the South and Appalachia. Movies like Sergeant York put don't rightly know in mountain mouths, and real speakers still use it.
Frequently asked questions
Does "I don't rightly know" mean you know nothing?
Usually it means you are not sure enough to swear to it. You might have a guess.