originally

[uh-rij-uh-nl-ee]

adverb

1. with respect to origin; by origin.

   Originally he came from California.

2. at the beginning; at first.

   Originally this was to be in three volumes.

3. in the first place; primarily.

   Originally nomads, they first learned agriculture from the missionaries.

4. in an original, novel, or distinctively individual manner.

   Originally planned houses are much in demand.

5. Archaic.,  from the beginning; from the first; inherently.

originally

/ əˈrɪdʒɪnəlɪ /

adverb

1. in the first place

2. in an original way

3. with reference to the origin or beginning

Word History and Origins

Origin of originally¹

First recorded in 1480–90; original + -ly

Example Sentences

The camp had originally been established in 1983 to house Afghan refugees fleeing the Soviet invasion.

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The consumer price index, originally scheduled for release on Oct.

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“We were originally a rhythm and blues band, wearing blue suits and singing about people and problems in the Deep South,” Hayward recalled in an interview with The Times in 1990.

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The official suggested it will be published sometime this month although it is unclear whether it will be released on Wednesday as originally scheduled.

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I thought originally, business was about making money, philanthropy was about doing good, and that’s how I was going to save the world.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• basically 
• formerly