# mainly

/ˈmeɪnɫi/ (US) · /mˈeɪnli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mainly
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. mostly or chiefly

adverb · CEFR B1

mostly; used to talk about the most important part of something or the most common situation.

For teachers: principally or for the most part; used to identify the primary factor, reason, or constituent in a set.

- The crowd at the music festival was mainly made up of teenagers.
- The local economy relies mainly on seasonal tourism, which leaves many residents seeking alternative employment during the winter months.

### 2. forcefully

adverb · CEFR C2 · Archaic

with great strength or power.

For teachers: with great force, vigour, or intensity.

- The knights fought mainly against the invaders to protect their land.
- In the ancient chronicles, the hero is described as striking mainly at his foes until the shield itself shattered under the pressure.

Usage: In modern English, this sense has been entirely replaced by 'forcefully' or 'vigorously'.

## Examples

- The group consists mainly of students.
- I chose this apartment mainly because it is close to my office and has a low rent.
- The success of the new product line was attributed mainly to an aggressive social media campaign that targeted younger demographics more effectively than traditional television advertising.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.