namely

adverb

name·​ly ˈnām-lē How to pronounce namely (audio)
: that is to say : to wit

Examples of namely in a Sentence

there's always one person stuck with cleaning up the mess, namely me
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The pair’s meanders through the Turkish metropolis heighten the atmosphere of the quest – namely the search for beauty in things that aren’t perfect. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 June 2025 Much of the SpaceX’s revenue is being plowed directly into the company’s Starship program, which Musk sees as the key to interplanetary expansion — namely his plan to colonize Mars. Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 3 June 2025 Yet there have been signs of late that Netflix and other streamers recognize the threat posed by YouTube: namely, that YouTube could be to Netflix (and other big subscription streamers) what Netflix was to linear TV. Josef Adalian, Vulture, 2 June 2025 There are also some slightly confusing complications in the present, namely the aversion to Lisa’s new husband. R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for namely

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of namely was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Namely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/namely. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

namely

adverb
name·​ly ˈnām-lē How to pronounce namely (audio)
: that is to say
the cat family, namely, lions, tigers, and related animals

More from Merriam-Webster on namely

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