Is "post-apocalyptically" a valid word?
- I found apocalyptically, but not with post-.
- I'm trying to say in a way that is post-apocalyptic.
Example: Post-apocalyptically-scented outdoors.
Solution 1:
If you think it expresses your meaning and that your readers will understand and respond positively to it, then there's no reason why you shouldn't use it. That's a more relevant consideration than whether or not it's a 'valid word', whatever that may mean.
Solution 2:
As long as the word follows standard rules, and as long as it communicates your meaning, there is no reason why it wouldn't be valid. Remember that the dictionary doesn't define the language; it's the other way round. Also, most dictionaries will not contain every single conglomeration of prefixes (such as post-) added onto every noun, adjective, and adverb (such as apocalyptically) Your reasoning could run thus: apocalyptic is a adjective, and -ly appended to an adjective means the adverb form, so apocalyptically is a word. Post- is a prefix, and can be added to any word with which it makes sense, so post-apocalyptically is completely valid, even if it's not common.
That said, post-apocalyptically has a respectable number of google hits (699), and Dictionary.com has both apocalyptically and postapocalyptic as variations on apocalyptic.
Solution 3:
It may not be in any published dictionary, but:
- it is a standard and grammatical use of suffixes and prefixes.
- it doesn't strain the bounds of cognition.
- it doesn't sound weird
The first is enough, but the other two might detract.
So the short answer is, yes.