ordinarily

Ordinarily is an English adverb meaning under normal conditions or in the ordinary course of events; typically, usually, or generally. It describes what would normally happen or what is expected unless something unusual occurs. The word emphasizes standard practice rather than exceptional circumstances.

Etymology and usage notes: Ordinarily derives from ordinary, which comes from Latin ordinarius meaning regular or customary, with the adverbial suffix -ly. The sense has remained consistent over time and it appears in both spoken and written English. In formal or cautious prose, ordinarily can soften statements by acknowledging potential deviations.

Contexts and nuance: In everyday language, ordinarily is often interchangeable with normally, usually, or typically, but it carries a nuance of routine or standard conditions. It is common in legal, administrative, or policy writing to describe standard procedures, resident status, or typical operations, as in “ordinarily the shipment is processed within two business days” or “the plant should be kept in ordinary light.” It can also be used to contrast what happens under ordinary conditions with what happens in exceptional or unusual situations.

Comparison with related terms: Normally and usually convey similar meaning, but ordinarily tends to sound more formal or cautious and sometimes implies a default expectation rather than an absolute rule. It is less common in casual speech.

See also: ordinary, ordinariness, ordinarily used in fixed phrases or technical writing.