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 White House had originally pledged to do this on the side lines of last year's conference, Cop28.

From BBC

Throughout the years, vandals have occasionally broken off parts of the left hand, toes and a sphere that the figure originally held.

From Los Angeles Times

She urged the city to keep its faith-based proposal as originally proposed, because doing so would create “more opportunities for congregations to build housing, especially in high-resource communities.”

From Los Angeles Times

"The research was motivated originally by the question: Who's consumption is generating the pressures of food production that are being felt by people and places around the world?"

From Science Daily

Long lines of attendees waited for Reid’s own contribution, “Oscillations: 100 Years and Forever,” originally written for the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• basically
• formerly