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

See Examples For:

ordinarily

“You can sometimes see authors chasing a trend rather than writing what they would ordinarily write, hoping their book will go viral,” Friedman says.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026

So the Caesar-ish dressing here is intentionally concentrated: cream cheese for body, Kewpie for tang and richness, and a dab of white miso for the salty, fermented funk that anchovy ordinarily brings to Caesar.

From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026

The proposed agreement with RN states that France would "ordinarily accept" those on board, and then repatriate them to their home country.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

Because the child cannot touch the money until age 18, contributions would ordinarily not qualify for the annual $19,000 exclusion, so donors would have to file a Form 709.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

Horace Whaley was ordinarily a family physician, one of three on San Piedro.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Related Words

• commonly
• customarily
• generally
• normally
• regularly