WordGarden.ionecessarily
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /nˌɛsɪsˈɛrəli/
US
- /ˌnɛsəˈsɛrəli/
Meanings
Adverb
as a necessary result or in every case; inevitably
in logic or philosophy, by necessity or in all possible cases
Beyond the definition
"Necessarily" is not about wanting something to happen. It is about what must be true or what must happen because of the facts or the situation. Think of simple logic: if all birds have wings and a robin is a bird, then a robin necessarily has wings. The result is required by the facts.
It shows a strong logical connection. If you leave paper outside in heavy rain, it will necessarily get wet. That is much stronger than saying "maybe" or "probably." The word is also often used in negative sentences to show that something is not always true. For example, "A high price does not necessarily mean high quality" means the connection is possible, but not certain.
The word "necessarily" shows that something is required by logic, facts, or the situation. It points to a strong connection: if certain conditions are true, then a certain result must also be true. For example, if a shape has three sides, it is necessarily a triangle. This is not just a guess. It is the only result that fits the definition.
"Necessarily" is also often used to make a statement more careful and exact, especially in negative forms. If someone says, "This delay does not necessarily mean the plan has failed," they mean the delay may be a problem, but it does not automatically prove failure. In this use, the word helps separate what is possible from what must be true.
It can also show that two ideas are not always linked. "Success is not necessarily tied to wealth" means wealth and success can go together, but one does not always bring the other. This is a common everyday use.
Unlike words like "possibly" or "probably," "necessarily" points to what must follow, not what merely might happen. In positive statements, it expresses certainty based on logic or conditions. In negative statements, it often means "not always" or "not in every case." Think of it as a word that tests whether a result is truly required, or only seems likely at first.
Examples
- 1
Value comparison
Expensive food is not necessarily better than cheap food.
- 2
Test results
A good exam score does not necessarily mean someone understands the subject.
- 3
Short answer
"Will traffic be bad?" "Not necessarily; it depends on the weather."
- PhraseNot necessarily
a short answer meaning "maybe not"
- 4
Deadlines
You do not necessarily have to finish it today; tomorrow is fine.
- Patterndo not necessarily have to + verb
may not need to do it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Possible reasons
She left early, but not necessarily because she was upset.
- 6
Risk planning
Any serious plan necessarily involves some risk.
See also
Similar
- inevitably
- unavoidably
- by necessity
Shades of meaning
- logically
- of necessity
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- not necessarily
- necessarily follows
- necessarily imply
Word family
Explore
- logical consequence
- inevitability
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- necessarilyadverb