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.

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ordinarily British  

/ ˈɔːdəˌnɛrɪlɪ, ˈɔːdənrɪlɪ /

adverb

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

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Etymology

Origin of ordinarily

First recorded in 1525–35; ordinary + -ly

Example Sentences

Former DOJ prosecutors told ProPublica that they typically reviewed caseloads every six months with supervisors and that closing out languishing cases wouldn’t ordinarily be cause for concern.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

“Loss,” as even the government admitted, “is ordinarily understood to capture unintentional conduct,” the justice wrote.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

It means their livestream does not reach the app's For You landing page as often as it ordinarily would - and so fewer people see it.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

I am not someone who ordinarily cares anything about Carey, but she was marvelous in this context.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

At other moments Francis would endeavor to fill my brain with crystallographic facts, ordinarily available only through the painful reading of professional journals.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

Related Words

• commonly
• customarily
• generally
• normally
• regularly