namely

adverb

name·​ly ˈnām-lē How to pronounce namely (audio)
: that is to say : to wit

Examples of namely in a Sentence

there's always one person stuck with cleaning up the mess, namely me
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
To clear their names, Frida is forced to confront their pasts — namely, the fallout from their childhood in a cult. Laura Thompson, New York Times, 22 May 2025 There are still a few hurdles ahead of him — namely recovery from wrist surgery to repair an injury that hampered him in 2024 — but signs point to the eight-time Pro Bowler being here at the start of the season. C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025 What the rebrand means for center staples — namely Barnes & Noble and UltraStar Cinemas — is still to be determined. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025 Veteran landscapers, casual gardeners, and everyone in between can agree on a lot of things, namely the fact that weeding is almost universally loathed. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for namely

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of namely was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Namely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/namely. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

namely

adverb
name·​ly ˈnām-lē How to pronounce namely (audio)
: that is to say
the cat family, namely, lions, tigers, and related animals

More from Merriam-Webster on namely

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