necessarily

American  

[nes-uh-sair-uh-lee, -ser-] / ˌnɛs əˈsɛər ə li, -ˈsɛr- /

adverb

1. by or of necessity; as a matter of compulsion or requirement.

   You don't necessarily have to attend.

2. as a necessary, logical, or inevitable result.

   That conclusion doesn't necessarily follow.

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necessarily British  

/ ˌnɛsɪˈsɛrɪlɪ, ˈnɛsɪsərɪlɪ /

adverb

1. as an inevitable or natural consequence

   girls do not necessarily like dolls

2. as a certainty

   he won't necessarily come

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Etymology

Origin of necessarily

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; necessary, -ly

Example Sentences

Her experience reminded me of my similar epiphany that adults didn’t necessarily have all the answers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Indeed, at one point he warned that even if the conflict ends that does not necessarily mean the strait will reopen.

From BBC

So you can understand, if not necessarily agree with, their reluctance to drop out and call it a day, in the hope that, just maybe, that proverbial bolt of lightning will strike.

From Los Angeles Times

She doesn't think employers paying staff more will necessarily translate to fewer job opportunities.

From BBC

That doesn’t necessarily require slashing benefits, but it could involve gradual changes—adjusting eligibility ages, modifying benefit formulas, or finding ways to control healthcare costs.

From Barron's

Related Words

• automatically
• naturally
• no doubt
• undoubtedly
• unquestionably