necessarily

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").

“Necessarily” is pronounced NEHS-uh-suh-rih-lee (/ˌnɛs.əˈsɛɹ.ə.li/ in IPA).

Here is “necessarily” used in a sentence: “A higher price doesn't necessarily mean better quality.”

“Necessarily” is an adverb.

“Necessarily” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

'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.

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.

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.

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'.