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Synonyms

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ordinarily

First recorded in 1525–35; ordinary + -ly

Vocabulary lists containing ordinarily

List 4

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Under EFL regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges," the statement added.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

After weeks of bombing and counter-strikes, focus has shifted to the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz, which ordinarily carries around a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

A scandal of this magnitude might ordinarily create an opportunity for a reset.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

"This application does not concern wholly untested allegations and evidence, which is ordinarily the case," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

These young women were ordinarily a favored group of prisoners.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.