primarily

adverb

pri·​mar·​i·​ly prī-ˈmer-ə-lē How to pronounce primarily (audio)
also prə-
chiefly British ˈprī-mə-rə-lē
Synonyms of primarily
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

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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
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.
Previous experiments at Delft primarily focused on controlling electron spins and observing their influence on nuclear spins through an interaction known as hyperfine coupling. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026 Riddell, likewise, has faced a number of high-profile lawsuits, primarily involving allegations that its football helmets failed to adequately protect athletes from head injuries. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Since Western colonialism, Latin American economies had been primarily focused on exporting agricultural and mineral commodities. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026 It is used primarily as a spark suppressant in electricity distribution. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for primarily

Word History

Etymology

primary entry 1 + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of primarily was in 1601

Rhymes for primarily

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Browse Nearby Words

prima prattica
primarily
primariness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Primarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primarily. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

primarily

adverb
pri·​mar·​i·​ly prī-ˈmer-ə-lē How to pronounce primarily (audio)
1
: for the most part : chiefly
2
: in the first place : originally
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