primarily

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English

Etymology

primary +‎ -ly

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pɹaɪˈmɛɹəli/, /ˈpɹaɪmɛɹəli/
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Adverb

primarily (not comparable)

  1. (focus) Of a primary or central nature, first and foremost
    • 1951 October, H. C. Casserley, “Crane Engines”, in Railway Magazine, page 660:
      The idea of fitting a crane to an engine for shunting duties, primarily in works yards, appears to have originated with the North London Railway engine in 1872.
    • 2015 January 1, Sarah Knapton, “Most cancers are caused by bad luck not genes or lifestyle, say scientists”, in The Telegraph:
      But now a study has shown that most cancers are primarily caused by bad luck rather than poor lifestyle choices or defective DNA.
    • 2018 July 20, “Zika virus”, in World Health Organization:
      Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day.
    • 2019 March 15, Keith Melrose, “Our leading tipsters give their fancy for the Cheltenham Gold Cup”, in The Racing Post:
      Some Gold Cups are won primarily with class, others with stamina.

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