originally
adverb
orig·i·nal·ly
ə-ˈri-jə-nᵊl-ē 
-ˈrij-nə-lē,
-ˈri-jən-
1
archaic
: by origin or derivation : inherently
2
: in the beginning : in the first place : initially
3
: in a fresh or original manner
Examples of originally in a Sentence
That van originally belonged to us.
The building was originally a school.
They originally planned to fix their old car, but they decided to buy a new one instead.
Originally, the word had a very different meaning from its current meaning.
a New Yorker who is originally from Mexico
She has shown an ability to think originally about ways to improve the company.
Recent Examples on the Web
The meeting was the culmination of a monthslong battle over the fate of the charter schools, which were originally slated for closure last October.
—
Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
This story was originally published March 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2025
Stewart says that the wide toe box is what drew him to Xero originally.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Trump’s lawsuit was originally filed in October, just weeks after 60 Minutes aired an interview with Harris in which she is shown giving a different answer to a question than one that was shown on a Face the Nation preview for the broadcast.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for originally
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.
Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
This story was originally published March 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2025
Stewart says that the wide toe box is what drew him to Xero originally.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Trump’s lawsuit was originally filed in October, just weeks after 60 Minutes aired an interview with Harris in which she is shown giving a different answer to a question than one that was shown on a Face the Nation preview for the broadcast.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for originally
Cite this Entry
“Originally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/originally. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
originally
adverb
orig·i·nal·ly
ə-ˈrij-ən-ᵊl-ē
-nəl-ē
1
: in the beginning : in the first place
2
: in an original manner
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share