namely

adverb

name·​ly ˈnām-lē How to pronounce namely (audio)
Synonyms of namely
: that is to say : to wit

Synonyms of namely

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Examples of namely in a Sentence

there's always one person stuck with cleaning up the mess, namely me
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.
The paper eliminates a popular theory as to why insects can’t live in oceans—namely that their respiratory systems would implode under deep-sea pressure. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 23 July 2026 Then there’s the maybe pile with a pair of players, namely linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and wide receiver Caleb Douglas. — Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 Some plants are less likely to get eaten than others, namely, plants with strong fragrance and to a lesser extent, things that are hairy or heavily textured. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 21 July 2026 Many of the rules served a purpose or solved a problem at a specific time, namely to try to keep player costs down and maintain competitive balance. — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for namely

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of namely was in the 14th century

Rhymes for namely

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Browse Nearby Words

nameless
namely
name names
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Cite this Entry

“Namely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/namely. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

namely

adverb
name·​ly ˈnām-lē How to pronounce namely (audio)
: that is to say
the cat family, namely, lions, tigers, and related animals

More from Merriam-Webster on namely

Nglish: Translation of namely for Spanish Speakers

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