Originally Meaning

UK /əˈrɪdʒɪnəli/
US /əˈrɪdʒənəli/
Word Definition
originally meaning

Originally Definition & Usage

adverb

At the outset or in the beginning; in the past.

Examples

  • "She originally wanted to become a doctor but switched to law after a few years."
  • "This house was originally built in the 19th century and has been renovated multiple times."
  • "Originally, the company focused on local products, but now they export globally."
  • "The festival was originally a small neighborhood event, but it grew into a national celebration."
  • "He was originally from New York, but he moved to California for work."
adverb

In its first or original form, before any changes or modifications.

Examples

  • "The concept was originally intended to be a simple blog but evolved into a major online platform."
  • "The proposal was originally a budget-friendly option, but now it's become quite expensive."
  • "Originally, they had a very different approach to marketing, focusing more on word-of-mouth than social media."
  • "The recipe was originally vegan, but they added some dairy products later on."
  • "She originally designed the dress with a simple pattern, but decided to add more detail later."

Cultural Context

The word 'originally' comes from Latin 'originalis,' meaning 'of the beginning or origin.' It often highlights how things evolve over time, marking a departure from an initial state. This is relevant in many cultural contexts, from personal history to business development or artistic evolution.

The Evolution of a Dream

Story

The Evolution of a Dream

Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Clara, who dreamed of becoming a renowned doctor. Originally, she had a clear vision of herself in a white coat, helping patients and saving lives. But life has a funny way of shifting our paths. After finishing high school, Clara discovered a new passion—law. She joined a debate club in college and found that her ability to argue persuasively was a gift. Clara's decision wasn't easy. Her parents, who had always hoped she would follow in the footsteps of her late grandfather, a famous physician, were initially disappointed. They had imagined her career taking a different route, one rooted in medicine. Clara, however, felt the pull of law more strongly. She could still help people, but in a different way—by defending their rights. The more Clara studied, the more she realized how her choice wasn't just a career shift but a personal transformation. She had originally thought that saving lives meant working in a hospital, but now she saw that she could save lives in courtrooms, advocating for justice. Years passed, and Clara opened her own practice, focusing on defending civil rights. In the early days of her law firm, Clara worked alone, handling cases one by one. Her office was small, and the work was tedious. But it was originally her dream to help people, and she had never wavered from that. Over time, her practice grew. The team expanded, and her firm became known for handling high-profile cases. But Clara often reflected on those early days, when the dream was just beginning. One day, while walking down the street, Clara passed an old, abandoned building. She paused and thought about the years she had spent in her original pursuit of medicine. That part of her life seemed like a distant memory. Yet, in a way, it had shaped who she had become. It was the beginning of a journey that led her to where she was now. The woman she was today had evolved, but the dream of helping others had always been there, in one form or another. Clara smiled to herself. She had originally wanted to become a doctor, but the path she had taken was just as meaningful. Life, after all, was about evolution—not staying the same, but growing into something new. And so, her journey continued, rooted in the same values, but blossoming in unexpected ways.

The Evolution of a Dream