B1adverb2K

Necessarily

UK /["/ˌnesəˈserəli//ˈnesəsərəli/"]/US /["/ˌnesəˈserəli/"]/

Definition

used to say that something cannot be avoided

In simple words: In a way that is needed or required.

Examples

  • The number of places available is necessarily limited.
  • Servants necessarily had close contact with their employers.
  • Biggest doesn't necessarily mean best.
  • It isn't necessarily true that sugar is bad for you.
  • The more expensive articles are not necessarily better.
  • ‘We're going to lose.’ ‘Not necessarily.’
  • The views in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the college.

Usage notes

Use 'necessarily' to express that something must be true or always happens, but be careful not to use it in overly casual situations, where simpler words might work better.

Grammar pattern

necessarily + clause

Memory hint

Think of 'necessary' — if something is necessary, it is always needed.

Collocations

  • necessarily true
  • not necessarily
  • necessarily follow
  • necessarily involved

Synonyms

  • essentially
  • requiredly
  • invariably
  • inevitably

Antonyms

  • optionally
  • unnecessarily

Common mistakes

  • 'Necessarily' is sometimes confused with 'necessarily not'.
  • Learners often drop the word entirely when it's contextually important.
  • Using 'necessarily' incorrectly to mean 'definitely' or 'certainly'.