Firstly vs For starters

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Firstly

Formal Top 3,000 (common) A2 adverb

For starters

Top 2,000 (common)

Most formal: Firstly Most common: For starters

	Firstly	For starters
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɜːstli/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɜːrstli/"]/	🇬🇧 //fɔː ˈstɑːtəz// 🇺🇸 //fɔr ˈstɑrtɚz//
Meaning	At the start of a list or explanation.	To begin with; as a first point.
Example	There are two reasons for this decision: firstly…	For starters, we need to address the budget issue.
Register	Formal	Neutral
How common	Top 3,000 (common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	A2	-
Part of speech	adverb
Collocations	firstly and secondly, firstly then, firstly I would like	for starters, use for starters, say for starters
Antonyms	lastly, finally	-
Common mistakes	'Firstly' is not often used in informal contexts., Some learners confuse 'firstly' with 'first,' thinking they can use them interchangeably in all situations., Overusing 'firstly' when listing items can sound overly formal.	Using it in overly formal situations., Confusing it with 'for start' which is incorrect., Not using it when listing multiple points.
Usage notes	Use 'firstly' to introduce the first point in formal writing or speeches. Avoid in casual conversations; 'first' is often preferred instead.	Use 'for starters' when introducing a list or an initial example. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English but can be too informal for very formal contexts.

See it in real clips

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

Do you know how the Orcs first came into being?

Firstly

The Lord Of The Rings › The return of the king

Come on. Let's just make it down the hill for starters.

How I Met Your Mother › S1 E1

For starters.

The Lord Of The Rings › The return of the king

Come on. Let's just make it down the hill for starters.

How I Met Your Mother › S1 E1

For starters.

For starters

Frequently asked questions: Firstly vs For starters

What's the difference between Firstly and For starters?

Firstly: At the start of a list or explanation. For starters: To begin with; as a first point.

Which is more formal: Firstly and For starters?

Firstly is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Firstly and For starters?

For starters is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Firstly: There are two reasons for this decision: firstly… For starters: For starters, we need to address the budget issue.

Can I use Firstly and For starters interchangeably?

Not always. Firstly and For starters are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.