namely
/ˈneɪmli/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: namelier · nameliest
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Specifically; that is to say.
Adverb
Examples
Some of the students — namely Paul, Alice and Jake — seem to have trouble with geometry.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Notable, distinguished; famous, renowned; well-known.
Adjective
Examples
[…] and certainly there was no namelier king in Scotland for building churches and developing the communities of the land into free towns or burghs.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “namely” mean?
Specifically; that is to say.
Is “namely” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.