primarily

adverb

pri·​mar·​i·​ly prī-ˈmer-ə-lē How to pronounce primarily (audio)
also prə-
chiefly British ˈprī-mə-rə-lē
Synonyms of primarilynext
1
: for the most part : chiefly
… has now become primarily a residential town …S. P. B. Mais
2
: in the first place : originally

Examples of primarily in a Sentence

the university was primarily an agricultural college when it was founded over two centuries ago ketchup is primarily made from tomatoes
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.
After spending a long winter primarily indoors, there's a good chance your outdoor space looks a little neglected. Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 1 May 2026 Article continues below This parachute, made primarily of nylon and Kevlar fabrics, was created for the European Space Agency's ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover, expected to launch to the Red Planet in 2028. Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 1 May 2026 More on ‘Dutton Ranch’ While no discernible North Texas locations appear in the trailer, the show primarily filmed in the region. Brayden Garcia may 1, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026 May 1 is a public holiday observed all over Germany, but putting up maypoles in the center of the village is a beloved tradition celebrated primarily in Bavaria, Austria, and other parts of southern Germany as a symbol of not only community but also the beginning of spring and fertility. ABC News, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for primarily

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of primarily was in 1601

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Primarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primarily. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

primarily

adverb
pri·​mar·​i·​ly prī-ˈmer-ə-lē How to pronounce primarily (audio)
1
: for the most part : chiefly
2
: in the first place : originally

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