ordinarily

American  

[awr-dn-air-uh-lee, awr-dn-er-uh-lee] / ˌɔr dnˈɛər ə li, ˈɔr dnˌɛr ə li /

adverb

1. most of the time; generally; usually.

   Ordinarily he wakes at seven.

2. in an unexceptional manner or fashion; modestly.

   a wealthy child who was dressed ordinarily.

3. to the usual extent; reasonably.

   to expect someone to be ordinarily honest.

---

ordinarily British  

/ ˈɔːdəˌnɛrɪlɪ, ˈɔːdənrɪlɪ /

adverb

1. in ordinary, normal, or usual practice; usually; normally

---

Etymology

Origin of ordinarily

First recorded in 1525–35; ordinary + -ly

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ordinarily

You or your husband would not ordinarily receive both full retirement benefits added together.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Tides in Southern California are expected to be 1 foot to 1.5 feet above what would ordinarily be expected without the abnormally warm ocean temperatures wrought by El Niño.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

Skovronsky said the high dropout rate was partly due to patients switching to higher doses more quickly than they ordinarily would because of the compressed study timeline.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

In the depths of Arctic winter, newly opened gaps in the ice would ordinarily freeze over again within several days.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026

Admittedly this is painful and one is well advised to avoid being stung, just as one ordinarily avoids the sting of wasp or bee.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• commonly
• customarily
• generally
• normally
• regularly

---