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Definition of firstly

firstly

/ˈfɝːst.li/
first · ly
Adjective:first
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firstly Lexical Profile

firstly Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

In the first place; used to introduce the first point, reason, or item in an enumerated series.

Example

"There are two main reasons for the delay: firstly, the weather was terrible, and secondly, the equipment arrived late."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Although traditional style guides sometimes prefer the shorter form 'first' over 'firstly' when enumerating points, 'firstly' is fully standard in modern English, particularly when followed by 'secondly' and 'thirdly'.

• Nearby Words

firstborn
firstfruits
firsthand
firstly
firwood
fiscal
fiscally

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Firstly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/firstly
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