firstly
At the outset
Firstly introduces the first point in a sequence, typically followed by secondly, thirdly, and so on: Firstly, we need to address the budget.
Some consider firstly unnecessarily formal compared to first, but both are standard.
The -ly form often appears in British English and academic writing.
In second position
- thirdlyThird in sequence marker
- nextImmediately following in sequence
- thenAt that time
- afterwardAt a subsequent time
subsequently · finally · lastly · enumeration · listing · ordering · numbering · progression
At the outset
- originallyFrom the start
- to beginTo start something
- startingInitiating an action
- openingGap or start
outset · commencement · introduction · preliminarily · from the start
In the first place
- chieflyAbove all else
- mainlyFor the most part
- principallyMostly or primarily
- above allBefore other considerations
most importantly · essentially · fundamentally · paramount · predominantly · notably · especially · particularly
secondly
In second position
afterward · subsequently · finally · lastly · enumeration · listing · ordering · numbering · progression · steps
initially
At the outset
- originallyFrom the start
- to beginTo start something
- startingInitiating an action
opening · outset · commencement · introduction · preliminarily · from the start
primarily
In the first place
- chieflyAbove all else
- mainlyFor the most part
- principallyMostly or primarily
above all · most importantly · essentially · fundamentally · paramount · predominantly · notably · especially · particularly
- ordinalssecond, third, fourth, fifth, sixth
- ranking wordsrated, ranked, scored, secondly, thirdly
- time wordsminute, hour, day, now, soon
- sequence wordssecond, third, next, fourth, fifth
- Transition Wordshowever, therefore, furthermore, meanwhile, consequently
- grammar debatesirregardless, ain't, split infinitive, singular they, could of
firstlylastly
At the end
finally · last · ultimately · in conclusion · to conclude
- first timeMaiden occurrence
- first namePersonal name, not surname
- first placeWinning position
- at firstIn the beginning
- first aidInitial injury treatment
- first stepInitial action taken