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 GoFundMe, originally created to support Waldroup and the couple's unborn child, will now pay for funeral and medical expenses.
—
David Chiu, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
Lewis was originally picked up in late October for some blocking help when Adkins originally went down, and has lingered on Denver’s practice squad even after running out of elevations.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Dec. 2025
The building, known as the Sarah Beckwith House, was originally constructed in 1922 as a single-family residence but recently has contained offices, according to a city report in May.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
Her commentary originally appeared in CalMatters.
—Janice Grandi, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for originally
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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David Chiu, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
Lewis was originally picked up in late October for some blocking help when Adkins originally went down, and has lingered on Denver’s practice squad even after running out of elevations.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Dec. 2025
The building, known as the Sarah Beckwith House, was originally constructed in 1922 as a single-family residence but recently has contained offices, according to a city report in May.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
Her commentary originally appeared in CalMatters.
—Janice Grandi, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 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
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