Secondly: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：in the second place (secondly)

secondly 🔊

/ˈsɛkəndli/

adv.

Used to introduce the second point in a list or sequence of ideas or reasons.

Secondly example: speaker with list highlighting second point

in the second place 🔊

➕

/ɪn ðə ˈsɛkənd pleɪs/

adv.

Used to introduce the second item in a list or the second reason in a sequence of thoughts.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

second (from Latin 'secundus' meaning following) + -ly (adverbial suffix).

💡 Mnemonic

Remember 'second' + 'ly' = the second point. Think of a numbered list: 1, 2 - secondly comes second.

📖 Example

There are two reasons why I love this park: firstly, it's very peaceful; secondly, there's a beautiful lake to walk around. 🔊 There are two reasons why I love this park: firstly, it's very peaceful; secondly, there's a beautiful lake to walk around.

🔗 Collocations

firstly ... secondly ... – used to list points in order

secondly, ... – as the second point

and secondly – used to add a second reason

🔄 Synonyms

next (adv.) – immediately after the first point

then (adv.) – used to introduce the next item in a sequence

subsequently (adv.) – after something else; later

🚫 Antonyms

firstly (adv.) – used to introduce the first point

🌱 Derivatives

second (adj.) – coming after the first in order

second (n.) – a unit of time or the second position

secondary (adj.) – of less importance; derived from something primary

📖 Cultural Story

The adverb 'secondly' emerged in Middle English from 'second' (via Old French from Latin 'secundus'). It is frequently used in formal writing and speeches to structure arguments, reflecting classical rhetoric's influence on logical sequencing.