Second vs Secondly

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

Second

Top 1,000 (very common)

Secondly

Formal Beyond 10,000 (less common) A2 adverb

Most formal: Secondly Most common: Second

	Second	Secondly
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //ˈsɛk.ənd// 🇺🇸 //ˈsɛk.ənd//	🇬🇧 /["/ˈsekəndli/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈsekəndli/"]/
Meaning	The number after one; a short time.	In the second place; the second reason or point.
Example	Please wait a second.	Firstly, it's expensive, and secondly, it's too slow.
Register	Neutral	Formal
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR level	-	A2
Part of speech		adverb
Collocations	wait a second, in a second, second chance	first, secondly, secondly, I want to emphasize, first point, secondly, first stage, secondly, secondly, we should consider
Antonyms	first, prior	firstly, initially, primarily
Common mistakes	'Second' is often confused with 'secondly' when listing items., Some learners mistakenly use 'second' instead of 'seconds' when counting time., Mispronounce as 'secone' instead of 'second'.	'Second' used instead of 'secondly' when listing points., 'Then' or 'next' used in formal writing instead of 'secondly'., Using 'secondly' without 'first' in a list.
Usage notes	Use 'second' to indicate time or order. In informal contexts, it can mean agreement (e.g., 'I second that!').	Use 'secondly' when listing points in formal writing or speaking. It’s less common in everyday conversation where 'next' or 'then' might be used.

See it in real clips

Six months the second level down, and the third level--

Succession › S1 E1

Let's have a second.

Top Gear › S1 E1

Not since the Germans and the Italians teamed up in the Second World War

Six months the second level down, and the third level--

Succession › S1 E1

Let's have a second.

Second

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

GANDALF". "The year 3434 of the Second Age.

Secondly, because the Batman has offered to turn himself in.

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

GANDALF". "The year 3434 of the Second Age.

Secondly, because the Batman has offered to turn himself in.

Secondly

Frequently asked questions: Second vs Secondly

What's the difference between Second and Secondly?

Second: The number after one; a short time. Secondly: In the second place; the second reason or point.

Which is more formal: Second and Secondly?

Secondly is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Second and Secondly?

Second is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Second: Please wait a second. Secondly: Firstly, it's expensive, and secondly, it's too slow.

Can I use Second and Secondly interchangeably?

Not always. Second and Secondly 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.