Word
mostly
Phoneticsmost·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmoʊsɫi/
UK/mˈəʊstli/
Adverb of degree
Definition
adv. for the most part, or in most cases.
adv. chiefly or principally; used to indicate that a situation or quality applies to the majority of a group or time.
Examples
“The crowd at the concert is mostly teenagers.”
“The weather this week will be mostly sunny, though we might see a few clouds on Thursday afternoon.”
“While the report addresses several minor administrative errors, it is mostly concerned with the systemic failure of the communication protocols during the emergency response.”
Examples
simple
“The crowd at the concert is mostly teenagers.”
contextual
“The weather this week will be mostly sunny, though we might see a few clouds on Thursday afternoon.”
complex
“While the report addresses several minor administrative errors, it is mostly concerned with the systemic failure of the communication protocols during the emergency response.”
Usage
Typically placed before the adjective, adverb, or phrase it modifies, or after the verb 'to be'.
Confusables
Most functions as a determiner or pronoun to indicate the majority of a group, while mostly is an adverb meaning mainly or generally.
RememberMost = Quantity. Mostly = Frequency or Quality.
Etymology
From most + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
ADVERB
DETERMINER
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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