firstly
UK: ˈfɜːstli | US: ˈfɜːrstli
adv. used to introduce the first point or item in a list or sequence
The word "firstly" combines "first," derived from Old English "fyrst" (meaning foremost in time, rank, or importance), with the adverbial suffix "-ly," which originates from Old English "-līce." The suffix "-ly" was historically used to form adverbs from adjectives, and its addition to "first" creates a clear transitional marker for enumerating points. The construction follows a straightforward pattern seen in other ordinal adverbs (e.g., "secondly," "thirdly").
Firstly, let’s review the agenda for today’s meeting.
The report covers three points: firstly, the budget; secondly, the timeline; and thirdly, the risks.
Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone for their hard work.
The instructions are simple: firstly, remove the cap; secondly, press the button.
Firstly, we must address the main issue before discussing details.