In a way that must be true or must happen; unavoidably. Often used in negative sentences to mean 'not in every case' or 'not always'.
From 'necessary' + '-ly', based on Latin 'necessarius' from 'ne-' (not) + 'cedere' (to go), originally meaning 'it cannot go otherwise'. It came into English via Old French.
When people say 'not necessarily', they’re quietly reminding you that the situation doesn’t have to follow the usual rule. The word carries a logical flavor—it's about what must be true versus what just often happens.
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