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Webster 1913 Edition


Firstly

First′ly

,
adv.
In the first place; before anything else; – sometimes improperly used for first.

Definition 2024


firstly

firstly

English

Adverb

firstly (not comparable)

  1. (formal) In the first place; before anything else; first.
    • 1992, Rudolf M. Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, page vii
      Firstly, I continue to base most species treatments on personally collected material, rather than on herbarium plants. [] Secondly, I continue to base my concepts on intensive study of a limited suite of collections, rather than superficial study of every packet that comes to hand.

Usage notes

  • Whether it is proper to use "firstly", rather than "first", has often been disputed.
    • Beginning in the early 19th century with de Quincey, who erroneously believed that "firstly" was a neologism, some have argued against the use of "firstly", advocating the sequence: "First", "secondly", "thirdly", ....
    • The usage of "firstly" is also deprecated by some modern style guides.[2] The Chicago Manual of Style further recommends that all such -ly forms be avoided, and that list items begin only with "first", "second", and so forth.[3]
    • Other authorities disagree.
      • The American Heritage Dictionary comments:
        It is well established that either first or firstly can be used to begin an enumeration: Our objectives are, first (or firstly), to recover from last year's slump.[4]
      • The Oxford English Dictionary notes the dispute but does not pass judgment: "many writers prefer first, even though closely followed by secondly, thirdly, etc."[5]
    • "Firstly" may appear more formal than "first" and is often recommended for the formal enumeration of arguments.[6]

Synonyms

See also

Translations

References

  1. firstly” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, v1.0.1, Lexico Publishing Group, 2006.
  2. International English Usage
  3. Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed. edition, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003, ISBN 0226104036
  4. firstly” in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000.
  5. "Firstly" in the Oxford English Dictionary, online edition (subscription required)
  6. Writing in a Formal Style for Academic Purposes