namely
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of namely
First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English namely, earlier nameliche; see name, -ly
Explanation
The word namely is a way of saying, "That is to say." After the word namely, you find out the specifics of something. We know people and things by their names. Maybe that's why the word namely is used to name the specific details of something that was previously said. You could say, "I have a new job: namely, as a teacher." Maybe you're afraid of an animal, namely, wolves. Namely means almost exactly the same thing as specifically and is followed by an example or examples. This word also works something like the colon, which also introduces information.
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.
Either way, know that nothing in this hour expands beyond territory he hasn’t covered – including, and namely, any epiphanies about responsibility.
From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026
"This corresponds to the neuroscientific distinction between changing one's own predictions, perceptual inference, and the attempt to make the world conform to them, namely active inference."
From Science Daily • Jul. 1, 2026
But after two years and many interruptions to her studies — namely performing gigs — she left to pursue a music full-time, but still led with uncertainty.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026
In contrast, Ulysses S. Grant illustrates a more-challenging leadership path, namely reconciliation without surrendering principle.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026
Sam also had an educated perspective on food and health issues, namely how the food industry marketed processed foods to families in the name of convenience and how that was having severe public health consequences.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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.
