primarily

adverb

pri·​mar·​i·​ly prī-ˈmer-ə-lē 

 also  prə-,

 chiefly British  ˈprī-mə-rə-lē

1

: for the most part : chiefly

has now become primarily a residential town

—S. P. B. Mais

2

: in the first place : originally

Synonyms

• firstly
• initially
• originally

Examples of primarily in a Sentence

the university was primarily an agricultural college when it was founded over two centuries ago

ketchup is primarily made from tomatoes

Recent Examples on the Web

Although the first days of the invasion were challenging for the company, primarily in terms of safety, Silpo opened 20 new stores in 18 cities during the Russian invasion, in particular in Kherson just a few weeks after the de-occupation. —Yulia Drozd, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2024

The Japanese prime minister grapples with dismal approval ratings, primarily following scandals involving his party, and the looming US elections raise the potential of a policy shake up if former President Donald Trump returns to the White House next year. —Hanako Montgomery, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024

For a club to last that long — 20 years that primarily catered to hip-hop culture — is amazing. —Abe Beame, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2024

Total solar eclipses in particular, such as the one that will overtake a large swath of the country in April, allow for scientists to test and improve human understanding of the laws of physics, primarily those of the sun. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024

At least a half million revelers – perhaps even a million – are expected in the area, primarily in Niagara Falls and Erie County, on Monday for the event, based on hotel reservations and data from previous eclipses elsewhere, according to New York State Police spokesperson Trooper James O'Callahan. —Christina Coulter, Fox News, 5 Apr. 2024

The primarily instrumental music absorbs its disparate influences from around the globe. —Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 5 Apr. 2024

Second, much of the reduction in life expectancies for poor Americans is related to the opioid crisis, which primarily impacts Americans under 65. —Karl W. Smith, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024

Between 2019 and 2021, the number of Americans primarily working from home tripled to 27.6 million people, from 9 million prior to the onset of the pandemic, according to the Census Bureau. —Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

primary entry 1 + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

primarily

adverb

pri·​mar·​i·​ly prī-ˈmer-ə-lē 

1

: for the most part : chiefly

2

: in the first place : originally