necessarily
NEHS-uh-suh-rih-lee
Necessarily (adv) means As an unavoidable result; inevitably. Example: “A higher price doesn't necessarily mean better quality.”
adv
1
As an unavoidable result; inevitably.
"Oregon’s uptick in marijuana sales along the Idaho border doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s all Idahoans who are lighting up, Lehner said."
— Harmeet Kaur, Marijuana sales on the Oregon-Idaho border are 420% higher than average, an analysis finds. Yes, you read that right (2020)
"It is not necessarily true that children get their morals from their parents."
"A higher price doesn't necessarily mean better quality."
"This isn't necessarily the final decision."
"But clever cities will not necessarily be better ones."
— , The multiplexed metropolis (2013)
"Being rich does not necessarily make a person happy."
How to use necessarily
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to say something must logically follow, or often to soften a claim ("not necessarily").
Common pairings
not necessarily
necessarily true
necessarily mean
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more necessarily
- Superlative
- most necessarily
Fill the gap
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A higher price doesn't _____ mean better quality.
Etymology
From necessary + -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for necessarily
See all rhymes for necessarily →Frequently asked questions
What does “necessarily” mean?
The word “necessarily” means as an unavoidable result; inevitably. In plain terms, used to say something must logically follow, or often to soften a claim ("not necessarily").
How do you pronounce “necessarily”?
“Necessarily” is pronounced NEHS-uh-suh-rih-lee (/ˌnɛs.əˈsɛɹ.ə.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “necessarily” in a sentence?
Here is “necessarily” used in a sentence: “A higher price doesn't necessarily mean better quality.”
What part of speech is “necessarily”?
“Necessarily” is an adverb.
Is “necessarily” a common word?
“Necessarily” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What does 'not necessarily' mean?
'Not necessarily' means 'not always' or 'not in every case'. It concedes that something may sometimes be true but denies that it must be. If asked 'Does expensive mean better?' you might reply 'Not necessarily' — meaning it can be, but is not automatically so. It is by far the most common way the word is used.
How do you use necessarily in a sentence?
Necessarily means that something follows unavoidably: 'A bigger engine necessarily uses more fuel.' It appears most often in the negative to deny that link: 'Being clever does not necessarily make you wise.' It usually sits before the verb or adjective it modifies, showing whether a result is inevitable or merely possible.
What is the difference between necessarily and inevitably?
The two overlap, but there is a shade of difference. Inevitably stresses that something is bound to happen and cannot be prevented. Necessarily stresses logical connection — that one thing must follow from another. You would say a conclusion 'necessarily' follows from its premises, but that an ageing machine will 'inevitably' break down.
What can you use instead of necessarily?
Close alternatives include inevitably, unavoidably, automatically, and 'by definition' when stressing that something must be so. 'Of course' and 'naturally' can work in some sentences. In the common negative form, 'not necessarily' can be replaced by 'not always' or 'not in every case'.
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