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

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

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Tides in Southern California are expected to be 1 foot to 1.5 feet above what would ordinarily be expected without the abnormally warm ocean temperatures wrought by El Niño.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

Two genetic signals that ordinarily tell cells to stop making proteins had taken on completely different functions.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

Sentencing Abdela, Judge James Bromige said that he would "ordinarily" be deported on completion of his time in prison.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

I doubt it was much fun for all the other instrumentalists, either, who would not ordinarily have been bound by such restrictions.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• commonly
• customarily
• generally
• normally
• regularly

---