chronologically

IPA/kɹˌɒnəlˈɒdʒɪkli/
KK[krˌɑnəlˈɑdʒɪkli]IPA/krˌɑːnəlˈɑːdʒɪkliː/

chronologically — adverb

1. with events, records, or stages arranged from the earliest point to the latest o

1.adverbC1
Definition

with events, records, or stages arranged from the earliest point to the latest one.

Example

Ritu placed the interview clips chronologically before adding captions to the video.

arrange + object + chronologically for time-order sorting

The museum guide explained the war chronologically, beginning with the first invasion.

Common collocations
  • arrange chronologically
  • list chronologically
  • present chronologically
  • sort chronologically
Synonyms
  • sequentially

    focuses on one step following another; not always tied to dates or time

  • in order

    broader and less formal; can refer to any organized sequence

  • by date

    more specific to documents, lists, and records marked with dates

Antonyms
  • randomly

    shows no planned or meaningful sequence

  • thematically

    groups items by topic rather than by time order

Grammar Patterns

arrange + object + chronologically

list/show + object + chronologically

Usage Note

Usually follows verbs such as arrange, list, show, or explain. It highlights time order, not the cause, topic, or importance of the events.

Common Mistakes

The chapters are historically arranged.
The chapters are arranged chronologically.
'historically' means in relation to history, not simply in time order.

chronologically — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Chronological and time-ordered both show that something is arranged from earlier to later in time, but chronological is the more common general word in books, reports, and biographies. Time-ordered sounds more technical and often appears in data analysis or software settings. Sequential means one stage follows another, yet the sequence may be based on process rather than dates or historical order. Historical is different again: it means connected with history or the past, not automatically arranged by time. For example, a chronological report tells events in order, a time-ordered log sorts computer records by timestamp, a sequential recipe follows steps, and a historical essay may discuss one period without presenting every event in time order.

chronological ↗sequential ↗time-orderedhistorical ↗

Etymology

GreekLate LatinFrenchEnglish

Chronologically is built from chronological and the adverb suffix -ly. Chronological comes from chronology, a word formed from Greek elements meaning 'time' and 'account or study.' In English, the adjective first described things arranged by time, and the adverb later developed to describe doing something in that same earliest-to-latest order.