What does "principal" mean?

1. (finance) the original amount of money you borrow or invest, not including the interest. 2. (main performer) the most important actor or dancer in a show. 3. (legal/business) a person who has the main responsibility in a business or a legal agreement. 4. (most important) the main or most important part of something.

How do you use "principal"?

Usually functions as an uncountable noun in this context. Always placed before the noun it modifies.

principal

n. · adj.

US //ˈpɹɪnsəpəɫ// UK //pɹˈɪnsɪpəl// prin·ci·pal

1 finance (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Finance

the original amount of money you borrow or invest, not including the interest.

the capital sum of a loan or investment as distinguished from interest or profit.

Example

If you pay off the principal quickly, you will owe less interest over time.

Example

The borrower requested a restructuring of the debt to allow for smaller monthly payments toward the principal while maintaining the current interest rate.

Usage

Usually functions as an uncountable noun in this context.
- capital
- sum
- interest
2 main performer (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Theatre

the most important actor or dancer in a show.

a person who takes a leading part in a play, opera, or ballet company.

Example

She was promoted to principal dancer after her amazing performance in Swan Lake.

Example

The principals of the touring company were praised for their technical precision and emotional depth during the opening night of the festival.
- extra
- understudy

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer

3 legal/business (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

a person who has the main responsibility in a business or a legal agreement.

the person or party who has primary responsibility for an obligation or who authorises another to act as an agent.

Example

The agent signed the contract on behalf of the principal.

Example

In a principal-agent relationship, the agent is legally bound to act in the best interests of the principal at all times.
- agent
- representative
4 most important (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the main or most important part of something.

first in order of importance; primary or main.

Example

The principal reason for the meeting was to discuss the new budget.

Example

The principal challenge facing the engineering team was the integration of legacy software with the new cloud-based architecture.

Usage

Always placed before the noun it modifies.
- minor
- secondary

Origin

From Middle English principal, from Old French principal, from Latin prīncipālis.