Synonyms for

Originally

Verb / ɜ:ˈɪdʒʌnʌli: / / ɜ:ˈɪdʒnʌli: / Another word for originally — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Originally means at the beginning or when something first happened.

Synonyms & similar words

earlier primitively inthebeginning inthefirstplace tobeginwith initially firstly formerly previously pioneeringly incipiently incipient elementarily rudimentarily fundamentally essentially basically primarily chiefly

Synonyms by register

Formal

initially primarily fundamentally principally

Informal

at first in the beginning to start with first off

Literary

erstwhile inceptive

Antonyms

finally eventually subsequently later afterward ultimately consequently

Common collocations

  • originally from
  • originally intended
  • originally published
  • originally designed
  • originally conceived
  • originally thought
  • originally planned

Word family

noun origin
verb originate
adjective original
adverb originally

Usage note

This adverb refers to the beginning or earliest stage of something. It is often used to contrast with a later state or development.

Example sentences

  1. Originally, the earth was believed to be flat.
  2. I originally planned to be a doctor when I grew up.
  3. The movie was originally released in 1987.
  4. Originally, the United States consisted of only thirteen colonies.
  5. The recipe originally came from Italy.

Quotes

  • "The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." - Christopher McCandless (originally John Krakauer), Into the Wild
  • "The best way to predict the future is to invent it." - Alan Kay (originally attributed to Abraham Lincoln)
  • "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." - Thomas Edison (originally attributed to Michael Jordan)

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