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 of primarily

• 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

But 43% of access plans for non-communicable diseases — specifically, sickle cell disease, diabetes, and mental health — focus solely on regulatory registrations and primarily in wealthy countries. — Senior, STAT, 10 Nov. 2026

Blank thinks many California transplants were primarily motivated by housing costs, with politics being secondary. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

America cannot declare artificial intelligence essential to national security while leaving protection of its technology, executives, and policymaking process primarily to corporate discretion. — Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026

That is the highest in the nation and is primarily driven by the automotive industry, the study said. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

primary entry 1 + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for primarily

• contrarily
• summarily
• airily
• caroli
• merrily
• verily
• warily
• wearily
• arbitrarily
• customarily
• militarily
• momentarily

Kids Definition

primarily

adverb

pri·​mar·​i·​ly prī-ˈmer-ə-lē 

1

: for the most part : chiefly

2

: in the first place : originally