ordinarily
gb/ˌɔɹdɪnˈɛɹəli/ us/ˌɔɹdɪnˈɛɹəli/
B2
English
~ 8100
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
usually; in most situations
In most situations; usually, but not always.
Usage pattern:
ordinarily, [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ordinarily' with the adjective 'ordinary'. 'Ordinarily' is an adverb and usually modifies a whole sentence or verb, as in 'Ordinarily, I go by car', not 'I have an ordinarily job'. Another mistake is putting it in an unnatural position; it is most natural at the beginning of the sentence or before the main verb: 'Ordinarily, we start at nine' or 'We ordinarily start at nine.'
Synonyms
usually (More common and slightly more informal; very close in meaning.)
|
normally (Similar meaning, often used for typical or expected situations.)
|
typically (Adds a sense of what is characteristic or standard for a case.)
Antonyms
rarely (Describes something that happens infrequently, the opposite of 'in most cases'.)
|
exceptionally (Focuses on unusual or special cases instead of the general rule.)
Collocations
would ordinarily
|ordinarily be
|ordinarily expect
|ordinarily occur
|ordinarily require
|ordinarily find
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Ordinarily, I walk to work, but today I took the bus.
- These meetings are ordinarily held on Monday mornings.
- Ordinarily, the process takes about two weeks.
- She would ordinarily check all the data before sending the report.
- Ordinarily, customers receive a full refund if the item is damaged.
Learner examples
- Ordinarily, I eat breakfast at home.
- He ordinarily finishes work at six o'clock.
- The train ordinarily arrives on time.
- Ordinarily, we do not open the store on Sundays.
- You would ordinarily need a ticket to enter.
adverb
C1
property
2
in a normal, not special way
In a normal way, not in a special or different way.
Usage pattern:
[subject] is ordinarily [adjective]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense where 'normally' or 'usually' sounds more natural, especially in modern English. In many cases, 'normally' or 'simply' will be more common, e.g. 'He was dressed normally' or 'He was dressed simply' instead of 'He was dressed ordinarily'.
Synonyms
normally (Very similar, but 'normally' is more common in everyday speech.)
|
in an ordinary way (More explicit phrase with the same idea of being not special.)
Antonyms
exceptionally (Stresses doing something in a very special or unusual way, not in a normal manner.)
|
unusually (Means in a way that is not normal or expected.)
Collocations
ordinarily dressed
|ordinarily used
|quite ordinarily
|very ordinarily
|behave ordinarily
Themes
description
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was dressed quite ordinarily, in jeans and a plain shirt.
- The device works quite ordinarily unless it is overloaded.
- She spoke very ordinarily, without any formal or technical language.
- The room was furnished rather ordinarily, with nothing stylish or modern.
- They behaved quite ordinarily during the visit, as if nothing important was happening.
Learner examples
- She is ordinarily quiet in class.
- He eats very ordinarily, just simple food.
- The house looks quite ordinarily from the outside.
- They live very ordinarily, without luxury.
- The car is ordinarily clean, but today it is very dirty.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ordinarily
IPA
GB/ˌɔɹdɪnˈɛɹəli/
US/ˌɔɹdɪnˈɛɹəli/
Syllables & stress
or - din - ar - ily (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ordinarily
- Plural: ordinarilies
Word family
Forms
ordinarilies
noun
Core family
ordinary
adjective A2
Related words
ordinariness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
extraordinary
adjective B1
extraordinarily
adverb B2
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.