B2adverblanguageacademic
US/ˌnes.əˈser.əl.i/
UK/ˈnes.ə.ser.əl.i/
used in negatives to say that something is not always true
In context
Expensive food isn't necessarily better than cheap food.
A good student doesn't necessarily make a good teacher.
"So you agree with him?" "Not necessarily, I need more facts."
Words that go with necessarily
adverb + adjective
- not necessarilyBigger is not necessarily better.
- necessarily trueWhat the ad says is not necessarily true.
- necessarily the caseThat's not necessarily the case.
adverb + verb
- necessarily meanSilence doesn't necessarily mean agreement.
- necessarily agreeI don't necessarily agree with the report.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
Rich people necessarily are not happy.Correct: Rich people are not necessarily happy.