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URL: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/ordinarily

⇱ ORDINARILY Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

ordinarily

American  
[awr-dn-air-uh-lee, awr-dn-er-uh-lee] / ˌɔr dnˈɛər ə li, ˈɔr dnˌɛr ə li /

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 British  
/ ˈɔːdəˌnɛrɪlɪ, ˈɔːdənrɪlɪ /

adverb

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

"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 ordinarily

First recorded in 1525–35; ordinary + -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.

Lord Justice Bean agreed with the Upper Tribunal judge that the council should have maintained the plan as Theo was "ordinarily resident" in the local authority area.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

“Loss,” as even the government admitted, “is ordinarily understood to capture unintentional conduct,” the justice wrote.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

Alito, whose appreciation for private jet travel is well-established, would ordinarily be due at his day job.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2026

I am not someone who ordinarily cares anything about Carey, but she was marvelous in this context.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

It amazed Obinze that, because Nigel thought the man was a “real gent,” he did not complain about the dirty kitchen, as he ordinarily would have done.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.