necessarily

Word parts

necessary + -ly

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈnɛsəs(ə)rɪli/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˌnɛsəˈsɛrəli/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: ne‧ces‧sar‧ily

Adverb

Positive necessarily

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. If something is not necessarily true, it may or may not be true.

   I know we don't have a car, but that's not necessarily a problem.

   Just because we have it doesn't mean that we will necessarily use it.

2. If something necessarily happens or is true, it cannot be avoided or changed.

   Any war necessarily involves death.

Related words

• necessary