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.
The reason it was so important to me to support this work is, firstly, because of free speech, obviously.
From Slate • May 18, 2026
He had done a superb job at Brentford to, firstly, earn promotion from the Championship and then, crucially, consolidate their position as a Premier League club.
From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026
"I mean, firstly, we're very sympathetic towards Bangladeshi players, but we still massively believe that we should be here." veteran left-armer Watt told reporters.
From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026
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 • Dec. 18, 2025
These were the six things the dwarfs gathered: For firstly, the footsteps of a cat.
From "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman
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.
