secondly

American

[sek-uhnd-lee] / ˈsɛk ənd li /

adverb

in the second place; second.

secondly British

/ ˈsɛkəndlɪ /

adverb

another word for second, usually used to precede the second item in a list of topics

"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 secondly

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; second ¹ + -ly

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.

Firstly, they trust the government, and secondly, because Finns cherish feeling safe.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

"Whether that's on gun regulation in New South Wales, or secondly, changes to protest, in order to lower the temperature in Sydney," he told reporters.

From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025

And secondly, if they don’t innovate, their competitors may leave them in the dust.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 11, 2025

First, thinking the Rams had it won when they went ahead 26-7 and secondly when the announcers proclaimed Joshua Karty the MVP of the game!

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2025

And secondly, most Brooklyn folks just pick it up with plastic Baggies whenever a dog does his doo on the sidewalk.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

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