firstly
Americanadverb
adverb
Usage
What does firstly mean? Firstly means in the first place or first, as in Firstly, I did study for the test, and secondly, the test was long and difficult.You will most often see firstly at the start of a sentence that details a first point in an argument. Sentences that detail other points in the argument may begin with second, secondly, and similar terms that number (that is, enumerate) your points.Example: Firstly, I’d like to point out that I was never on the site on that day.
Etymology
Origin of firstly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
John Clark: Four-cap Scotland international spent more than four decades at Celtic, firstly as a player where he was part of the 'Lisbon Lions' side that won the European Cup.
From BBC
He will return to the store in a paid role next year but is firstly working a few hours a week at his local Asda.
From BBC
His career has been blighted by injuries and the Perth Test was the end of a 15-month absence from Test cricket, firstly because of an elbow injury, then the knee problem.
From BBC
Kansas City have a great defence, the reasons for failure are clear and were wonderfully encapsulated during Sunday's defeat to Houston - firstly the already dodgy offensive line had three starters missing.
From BBC
“It was terrifying to know that the story existed, firstly,” Liu says.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
