ordinarily

adverb

or·​di·​nar·​i·​ly ˌȯr-də-ˈner-ə-lē How to pronounce ordinarily (audio)
: in an ordinary manner or to an ordinary extent: such as
a
: in the ordinary course of events : usually
She was ordinarily very busy in the morning.
the jobs ordinarily handled by junior staff members
… cortisol, a hormone which ordinarily comes into play in situations of bodily stress …Maggie Scarf
Ordinarily, the immune system of any mammal will work to fight off a fungal parasite.David Quammen
b
: to the usual extent : moderately
It must suffice for him to be ordinarily honest according to the ordinary honesty of the world's ways …Anthony Trollope
c
: in a commonplace or inferior way : without distinction
A friend of mine … has two apartments on the 3rd floor, very ordinarily furnished …Walt Whitman

Examples of ordinarily in a Sentence

ordinarily, I get off work at five, but this week I'm working late to meet a project deadline
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.
At the Surfrider Malibu, guests ordinarily have exclusive access to a roof-deck restaurant, several loaner surfboards and a pair of Mini Coopers — but some amenities are on hold as the hotel accommodates many guests displaced by the Palisades fire in January. Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 The result that the purchaser at the judicial sale ends up only as an assignee of the distributional rights, but without governance rights, is the result that will ordinarily be obtained outside of bankruptcy too. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 That would ordinarily be a great sign for Conservatives’ chances of winning the most seats nationally. The Editors, National Review, 29 Apr. 2025 The clause expresses disputes between a player and his agent regarding their contractual relationship are ordinarily governed by an NBPA arbitration procedure. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ordinarily

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ordinarily was in 1555

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Cite this Entry

“Ordinarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordinarily. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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