firstly

first·ly

F0143700 (fûrst′lē)adv. In the first place; to begin with; first.

firstly

(ˈfɜːstlɪ) advcoming before other points, questions, etc

first•ly

(ˈfɜrst li)

adv. in the first place; first. [1525–35]

first

firstly1. 'first' used as an adjective

The first thing, event, or person of a particular kind is the one that comes before all the others.

She lost 16 pounds in the first month of her diet.Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space.

If you want to emphasize that a thing, event, or person is the first one of their kind, you can put very in front of first.

The very first thing I do when I get home is have a cup of tea.2. 'first' used as an adverb

If an event happens before other events, you say that it happens first.

Rani spoke first.When people get their newspaper, which page do they read first?

Be Careful!
Don't use 'firstly' with this meaning. Don't say, for example, 'Rani spoke firstly'.

3. 'first' and 'firstly' used as sentence adverbials

You can use first or firstly to introduce the first point in a discussion, the first of a series of questions or instructions, or the first item in a list.

First, mix the eggs and flour.There are two reasons why I'm angry. Firstly you're late, and secondly, you've forgotten your homework.

If you want to emphasize that an item is the first one you are going to mention, you can say first of all.

I have made a commitment, first of all to myself, and secondly to my family.First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming.

Be Careful!
Don't say 'firstly of all'.

4. 'at first'

When you are contrasting feelings or actions at the beginning of an event with ones that came later, you say at first.

At first I was reluctant.At first I thought that the shop was empty, then from behind one of the counters a man appeared.

Be Careful!
Don't use 'firstly' in sentences like these.

Thesaurus

Adv.

firstly - before anything else; "first we must consider the garter snake"first, first of all, first off, foremost

firstly

adverb in the first place, initially, to begin with, to start with, before all else Firstly, vitamin C is needed for hormone production.

Translations

第一首先

first

(fəːst) adjective, adverb before all others in place, time or rank. the first person to arrive; The boy spoke first.第一 adverb before doing anything else. `Shall we eat now?' `Wash your hands first!先 noun the person, animal etc that does something before any other person, animal etc. the first to arrive.首先ˈfirstly adverb in the first place. I have three reasons for not going – firstly, it's cold, secondly, I'm tired, and thirdly, I don't want to!第一first aid adjective (etc) treatment of a wounded or sick person before the doctor's arrival: We should all learn first aid; () first-aid treatment. 急救ˈfirst-born adjective, noun (one's) oldest (child). 最年长的（孩子） ˌfirst-ˈclass adjective1. of the best quality. a first-class hotel.第一流的2. very good. This food is first-class!极好的3. (for) travelling in the best and most expensive part of the train, plane, ship etc. a first-class passenger ticket; (also adverb) She always travels first-class. 头等车（舱） ˌfirst-ˈhand adjective, adverb (of a story, description etc) obtained directly, not through various other people. a first-hand account; I heard the story first-hand. 直接的（地） ˌfirst-ˈrate adjective of the best quality. She is a first-rate architect.第一流的at first at the beginning. At first I didn't like him.起先at first hand obtained etc directly. I was able to acquire information at first hand.直接地first and foremost first of all. 首先first of all to begin with; the most important thing is. First of all, let's clear up the mess; First of all, the scheme is impossible – secondly, we can't afford it.首先

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Synonyms for firstly

adv in the first place

Synonyms

Synonyms for firstly

adv before anything else

Synonyms