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namely

/ˈneɪmli/
/ˈneɪmli/
IPA guide

The word namely is a way of saying, "That is to say." After the word namely, you find out the specifics of something.

We know people and things by their names. Maybe that's why the word namely is used to name the specific details of something that was previously said. You could say, "I have a new job: namely, as a teacher." Maybe you're afraid of an animal, namely, wolves. Namely means almost exactly the same thing as specifically and is followed by an example or examples. This word also works something like the colon, which also introduces information.

Definitions of namely
  1. adverb
    as follows
Pronunciation
US
/ˈneɪmli/
UK
/ˈneɪmli/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘namely'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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