Words / B1

nes-uh-SER-uh-lee/ˌnesəˈserəli/

Necessarily means in a way that must be true; not necessarily means “not automatically”. Necessary and necessity are already in the dictionary. Automatically is a close twin of the idiom. Results day: a predicted grade is not necessarily the real one.

Meaning

In a way that must be true or must happen; not necessarily means “not automatically”.

Examples

• “A high predicted grade is not necessarily the one on results day.”
• “A degree does not necessarily lead to that job, which is the careers-advice sense.”

Good to know

not necessarily. Related: necessary. Close idiom: not automatically. Exams / careers. Avoid “necessarilly”.

New