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.

---

ordinarily British  

/ ˈɔːdəˌnɛrɪlɪ, ˈɔːdənrɪlɪ /

adverb

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

---

Etymology

Origin of ordinarily

First recorded in 1525–35; ordinary + -ly

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ordinarily

It was an unusually intense mobilization around an ingredient whose primary job is ordinarily to provide a little cold crunch between seasoned beef and sour cream.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

A similar move at other German carmakers would ordinarily require a simple majority.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

Knotts held that drivers ordinarily have no reasonable expectation of privacy in movements visible on public thoroughfares.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

If one or both Carabao Cup ties are scheduled for the Thursday, then the Saturday games would ordinarily move to the Sunday.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

I was, as you might imagine, a little taken aback by this request and ordinarily the matter might have been one I would have spent some time pondering.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Related Words

• commonly
• customarily
• generally
• normally
• regularly