English Reference
Adverb

ordinarily

adv. sent.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌɔɹdəˈnɛɹəɫi/ UK /ˌɔːdɪnˈɛɹəli/ or·di·nar·i·ly

adv.in a normal way or under usual conditions. You use this to describe what happens most of the time when nothing special is going on.

adv.under normal or usual circumstances; in a common or standard manner.


SIMPLE

Ordinarily, I take the bus to work.

CONTEXTUAL

Ordinarily, the shop closes at six, but they are staying open late for the holiday sale.

COMPLEX

While the procedure is ordinarily straightforward and carries minimal risk, the surgeon must remain vigilant for any anatomical anomalies that could complicate the recovery process.

Usage

Often functions as a sentence adverb, typically placed at the beginning of a clause to set the context of normality.

I wouldn’t ordinarily use that term to describe a film, but it fits The Last Sunrise (indifferently directed by Carlson Young) like a glove.

The Guardian· 26 Aug 2026

From ordinary + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated