firstly
Americanadverb
adverb
Usage
What does firstly mean? Firstly means in the first place or first, as in Firstly, I did study for the test, and secondly, the test was long and difficult.You will most often see firstly at the start of a sentence that details a first point in an argument. Sentences that detail other points in the argument may begin with second, secondly, and similar terms that number (that is, enumerate) your points.Example: Firstly, I’d like to point out that I was never on the site on that day.
Etymology
Origin of firstly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It's very pleasing because firstly that is the reason we have won," said Slot.
From BBC
He was twice cleared of the claims, firstly after an internal investigation conducted by a lawyer, then by another lawyer who dismissed the complainant's appeal.
From BBC
He had done a superb job at Brentford to, firstly, earn promotion from the Championship and then, crucially, consolidate their position as a Premier League club.
From BBC
"He could have firstly called an engineer or called for assistance, but the obvious thing to do would have been to slow the vessel down," he said.
From BBC
But for Norman Miller, it is the biggest memory he has of the late Thin White Duke, having put in a plea for him to play Binley Woods Village Hall, firstly in 2014.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
