ordinarily

adverb

or·​di·​nar·​i·​ly ˌȯr-də-ˈner-ə-lē 

: 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

Synonyms

• commonly
• generally
• natch [slang]
• naturally
• normally
• typically
• usually

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

While ordinarily that judge’s ruling would only be temporary — a full panel of appellate judges is supposed to evaluate Mr. Trump’s claims in the coming weeks — the case against the president-elect is running out of time. —Ben Protess, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025

Parents ordinarily act in the best interests of their children. —Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025

For any remaining surplus, that amount is ostensibly capital gain that would ordinarily be subject to income tax. —Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

The Idaho Statesman and law enforcement ordinarily don’t name minors accused of crimes, but because they are being charged with murder as adults, the two underage boys have been identified. —Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above