primarily

American  

[prahy-mair-uh-lee, -mer-, prahy-mer-uh-lee, -mer-uh-] / praɪˈmɛər ə li, -ˈmɛr-, ˈpraɪ mɛr ə li, -mər ə- /

adverb

1. essentially; mostly; chiefly; principally.

   They live primarily from farming.

2. in the first instance; at first; originally.

   Primarily a doctor, he later became a lawyer.

---

primarily British  

/ ˈpraɪmərəlɪ /

adverb

1. principally; chiefly; mainly

2. at first; originally

---

Etymology

Origin of primarily

First recorded in 1610–20; primary + -ly

Example Sentences

Ford announced almost 2.4 million vehicle recalls in six actions, primarily for backup cameras and windshield wipers.

From Barron's

The immediate economic consequences of the conflict—on oil and gas prices, primarily—are being tracked by investors and analysts closely.

From Barron's

BlackRock, which spun out of Blackstone in the 1990s, became the world’s largest asset manager primarily through managing public stock and bond funds and a focus on indexed investing.

From The Wall Street Journal

While the model can be used for light combat, it is primarily designed as a training aircraft.

From The Wall Street Journal

Those aged in their 20s and 30s tended to pay primarily on their phone, with less need or inclination to carry cash.

From BBC