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

But he queried whether authorities would ordinarily have a duty to keep victims and their families informed if an offender "misbehaved in prison".

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

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

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

Alito, whose appreciation for private jet travel is well-established, would ordinarily be due at his day job.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 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

Obinze would ordinarily not have said anything at all, just watched and listened, but today, for some reason, he said, “Didn’t we all go to primary schools that taught the Nigerian curriculum?”

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• commonly
• customarily
• generally
• normally
• regularly