FIRSTLY Synonyms: 10 Similar and Opposite Words

firstly

adverb

ˈfərst-lē

Definition of firstly

as in originally

in the beginning firstly, gather all the ingredients together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of firstly If experiencing heat illness, Helberg recommends, firstly, calling 911 for medical help. — Zuri Primos, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026 The three ingredients at the start was firstly Julian’s love of American vintage clothing and the approach to vintage American cotton. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 1 May 2026 Chronis has been with the fund since 2019, firstly as a feature film consultant and then as Head of Feature Film & Documentary since 2021. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026 Um, firstly, thank you everybody for, for, for coming and joining us today for this conversation. — Outside Online, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for firstly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for firstly

Adverb

Cameroon originally failed to qualify for the tournament but earned a spot when the Confederation of African Football decided to expand the tournament to 16 teams in November.

— Emily Olsen, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The Bible is widely read and loved in spite of the fact that most people don’t speak any of the languages in which it was originally written.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of originally

Browse Nearby Words

first-line

firstly

first name

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to firstly

Cite this Entry

Style

“Firstly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firstly. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of firstly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of...

There Is No Such Word As "..."

'First' or 'Firstly'?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on firstly

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

salvo

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes