Word
principally
Phoneticsprin·ci·pal·ly
US/ˈpɹɪnsɪpɫi/
UK/pɹˈɪnsɪpəli/
Adverb of degree
Definition
adv. mostly or mainly. You use this to talk about the most important reason or part of something.
adv. for the most part; chiefly or mainly. Used to identify the primary factor or component in a situation.
Examples
“The book is principally about the history of jazz.”
“The new law is principally concerned with protecting the privacy of online shoppers.”
“The decline in the local population was principally attributed to the closure of the steel mill, which had been the town's primary employer for decades.”
Examples
simple
“The book is principally about the history of jazz.”
contextual
“The new law is principally concerned with protecting the privacy of online shoppers.”
complex
“The decline in the local population was principally attributed to the closure of the steel mill, which had been the town's primary employer for decades.”
Usage
Typically placed before the adjective or prepositional phrase it modifies, or between the auxiliary and main verb.
Real-World Examples
“What evidence suggests that school leavers motivated principally by reduced university fees would remain in demanding social care roles for a full year?” “The evidence we have suggests Roman soldiers were paid principally in coins, especially silver coins.” Etymology
From Middle English principaly. By surface analysis, principal + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/principally