Secularly

Secularly is an adverb that denotes performing or describing something in a secular, non-religious, or non-spiritual manner. It emphasizes the involvement or framing of civil authorities, public institutions, or non-religious values rather than religious ones.

Etymology: The term derives from the adjective secular, from Latin saecularis, itself from saeculum meaning an age or generation. The adverbial form is formed with the common English suffix -ly.

Usage: Secularly is relatively uncommon in everyday speech and tends to appear in formal, analytical, or policy-oriented writing. It is most appropriate when contrasting secular versus religious dimensions, such as governance, education, or civic rituals. Examples include phrases like "a ceremony conducted secularly" or "secularly managed schools." In many contexts, writers substitute nonreligiously, in a secular manner, or secularly organized depending on tone and clarity.

Criticism and notes: Some readers may perceive secularly as pedantic or overly technical. In routine prose, using secular or nonreligious phrases is typically clearer.

See also: secular, secularism, laicism, separation of church and state, nonreligious.