Mostly: meaning, definitions and examples

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mostly

[ˈməʊstli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in general

Mainly or chiefly; for the most part.

Synonyms

chiefly, largely, mainly, primarily.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mostly	Used when talking about the largest part of something, but not all of it. It's common in informal and everyday conversations. The class is mostly girls I mostly listen to pop music
mainly	Used to highlight the most significant part or reason, especially in a context where there are other contributing factors. The exhibition is mainly about space exploration I eat mainly fruits and vegetables
chiefly	Used in more formal contexts to mean the most important or primary factor. The region is known chiefly for its wine The meeting was chiefly about the new project
largely	Used to indicate that something is true to a great extent but not entirely. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The success was largely due to teamwork The book is largely based on real events
primarily	Used to emphasize the most important reason or aspect of something. It is often used in more formal contexts. The school was built primarily for local children She is known primarily for her research in biology

Examples of usage

Mostly, I enjoy spending time outdoors.
She mostly works from home, but occasionally goes into the office.
He is mostly a vegetarian, but will eat meat on special occasions.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

usually

Generally; commonly; ordinarily.

Synonyms

commonly, generally, ordinarily, typically.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mostly	Used when talking about the largest part of something or the main aspect. The team is mostly made up of new members.
generally	Used when speaking about general rules or facts, and not about specific details. Generally, people need about eight hours of sleep each night.
commonly	Used when referring to something that happens often and is widely accepted or used. This plant is commonly found in tropical areas.
ordinarily	Used when describing what normally or usually happens, but still allowing for exceptions. Ordinarily, he takes the bus to work, but today he decided to walk.
typically	Used when describing an action or behavior that is usual or expected. The summer season typically brings a lot of tourists to the city.

Examples of usage

She mostly arrives on time for meetings.
I mostly prefer tea over coffee in the mornings.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Old English 'mōd,' meaning 'manner' or 'way,' combined with the suffix '-ly' which indicates a state or quality.
In the 15th century, the term began to gain its modern sense of indicating a majority or main part.
Related words in English include 'most' and 'more,' showing a consistent pattern of comparison.

Language Usage

'Mostly' is often used in conversational English to soften statements, making them less absolute – for example, saying 'I mostly enjoy classical music' rather than 'I only enjoy classical music.'
In mathematics, ‘mostly’ can imply a statistical average, indicating that a quantity is greater than the midpoint.
The adverb can also reflect subjective perceptions, as in 'The weather is mostly sunny,' leaving room for some variability.

Cultural Context

In pop culture, 'mostly' tends to signal trends or preferences, like 'I mostly watch superhero movies' indicating a strong interest, but not an exclusive one.
The phrase 'mostly harmless' from Douglas Adams' 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' humorously presents the idea of incompleteness or uncertainty.
In everyday conversation, expressing something that is 'mostly true' highlights nuances in truthfulness, acknowledging exceptions.

Psychology

Using 'mostly' in statements can reflect ambivalence or indecision, common in human thought processes.
People may use 'mostly' to create psychological safety in discussions by allowing space for disagreement.
In decision-making, applying a mostly perspective can help individuals feel less pressured to commit fully, easing anxiety.

Translations

Translations of the word "mostly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 principalmente

🇮🇳 मुख्य रूप से

🇩🇪 hauptsächlich

🇮🇩 terutama

🇺🇦 переважно

🇵🇱 głównie

🇯🇵 主に（おもに）

🇫🇷 principalement

🇪🇸 principalmente

🇹🇷 çoğunlukla

🇰🇷 주로

🇸🇦 في الغالب

🇨🇿 hlavně

🇸🇰 hlavne

🇨🇳 主要

🇸🇮 večinoma

🇮🇸 aðallega

🇰🇿 негізінен

🇬🇪 ძირითადად

🇦🇿 əsasən

🇲🇽 principalmente

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,147, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2144 recognize
2145 structural
2146 decide
2147 mostly
2148 devoted
2149 parent
2150 images
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