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

Many years later, in graduate school, when I first read “Sonny’s Blues,” a short story originally published in 1957 by James Baldwin about family and addiction, I would think back to this painting, in this house, and how its beauty halted me in my tracks, how it dared me to pause and consider my place in the wide world.

From Los Angeles Times

The event was originally planned for July 20 but was rescheduled to Nov. 15 after Tyson had an ulcer flare-up.

From Los Angeles Times

Paul, who grew up in Ohio, originally became famous on YouTube for his disruptive antics.

From Los Angeles Times

The book launch for Roberts’ “Dawn’s Early Light” was originally scheduled for release on Sept. 24 of this year.

From Salon

Zuckerberg sings with the help of Autotune on an acoustic reworking of the filthy floor-filler, which was originally a hit for Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz in 2003.

From BBC

Related Words

• basically
• formerly