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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ordinarily

Gauntlett specifically looks for brands that shoppers “wouldn’t be able to walk into a department store and ordinarily see.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

The inquest also heard the FV-511model involved in the incident was not ordinarily used for disembarking troops and close combat.

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

This result was especially surprising because thicker fluid would ordinarily be expected to impede movement.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026

You or your husband would not ordinarily receive both full retirement benefits added together.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 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

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Related Words

• commonly
• customarily
• generally
• normally
• regularly

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