Firstly Definition, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：firstly (firstly)

firstly 🔊

/ˈfɜːrstli/

adv

Used to start listing points or reasons, showing this is the first one.

firstly 🔊

➕

/ˈfɜːrstli/

adv

Used to introduce the first item in a list or a series of points.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

First (earliest) + -ly (adverbial suffix).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'First + ly = Firstly'. Imagine listing 'First point' and adding '-ly' to make it an adverb.

📖 Example

Firstly, let's check if everyone has finished their homework. 🔊 As a first step, we should verify that everyone has completed their homework.

🔗 Collocations

firstly and secondly – Used to introduce the first and second points in a list.

firstly, ... secondly, ... – A common structure for enumerating points.

mentioned firstly – Referred to as the first item among others.

🔄 Synonyms

first (adv) – In the first place; before anything else.

first of all (phrase) – Used to emphasize the most important point or the first in a series.

to begin with (phrase) – Used to introduce the first in a series of points.

🚫 Antonyms

lastly (adv) – Used to introduce the final point in a list.

finally (adv) – At the end; after all others.

🌱 Derivatives

first (adj) – Coming before all others in time or order.

firstness (n) – The quality of being first.

📖 Cultural Story

Firstly derives from Old English 'fyrst' (earliest) + '-lice' (adverb suffix). It has been used since the 14th century to introduce the first point in a series.