namely

American  

[neym-lee] / ˈneɪm li /

adverb

1. that is to say; explicitly; specifically; to wit.

   an item of legislation, namely, the housing bill.

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namely British  

/ ˈneɪmlɪ /

adverb

1. that is to say

   it was another colour, namely green

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Etymology

Origin of namely

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English namely, earlier nameliche; name, -ly

Example Sentences

Nevertheless, Good Friday will still see the release of a key federal economic report — namely, the Labor Department plans to share its March employment report.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

On one end of the recipe spectrum, you have chia seed water — straightforward yet packed with nutritional benefits and textures, namely from the soaked seeds that form a jelly-like consistency.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

Theatre Obscura may face challenges, namely persuading potential guests that “The Pit and the Pendulum” is more than simply a live reading with audio effects.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

“It is a narrative operation using a shared cultural vocabulary to reach a specific demographic,” namely anyone who has played these first-person shooter games.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

I don’t know how Miss Love managed it, but she got the telegraph operator to swear not to tell anybody what it said, namely, that the Pierce would arrive the following Saturday.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

Related Words

• especially
• i.e.
• particularly
• specially
• specifically