ordinarily

[ awr-dn-air-uh-lee, awr-dn-er-uh-lee ]

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

/ ˈɔːdəˌnɛrɪlɪ; ˈɔːdənrɪlɪ /

adverb

1. in ordinary, normal, or usual practice; usually; normally

Word History and Origins

Origin of ordinarily¹

First recorded in 1525–35; ordinary + -ly

Example Sentences

“It’s allowed me to do things I wouldn’t ordinarily do,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

Senior royals ordinarily attend a number of Remembrance events.

From BBC

"It improves their attendance because they love doing these activities, and we get to see them smiling and happy and achieving something that they might not have ordinarily done," she added.

From BBC

Mr Yousaf, who replaced Ms Sturgeon after she unexpectedly resigned last year, told the BBC documentary that the first minister is ordinarily the most powerful person in the room.

From BBC

Members of Mr Sunak’s shadow cabinet will also not give policy speeches, as would ordinarily be the case.

From BBC

Related Words

• commonly
• customarily
• generally
• normally
• regularly