firstly

adverb

ˈfərst-lē How to pronounce firstly (audio)
Definition of firstlynext
as in originally
in the beginning firstly, gather all the ingredients together

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
  1. originally
  2. initially
Adverb
  • Macombs Dam Park was originally intended to serve as a shrine to the team’s history.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The merch was originally made for OpenAI employees to purchase on an internal site, but the team decided to make a small capsule collection available to the public.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of originally
Adverb
  • Officials initially responded Saturday morning to a 911 call about a vehicle fire in unincorporated Washington County, outside the city of Forest Grove.
    — Joe Kottke, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Yet after initially acknowledging the economic struggle, the government once again accused the protesters of being foreign agents before unleashing one of the worst crackdowns in the Islamic Republic’s history.
    — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of initially

Browse Nearby Words

first-line
firstly
first name
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Firstly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firstly. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on firstly

Nglish: Translation of firstly for Spanish Speakers

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