Principal: meaning, definitions and examples

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principal

 

[ ˈprɪnsɪpəl ]

Noun / Adjective
Context #1 | Noun

school

The person with the highest authority or most important position in a school.

Synonyms

head teacher, headmaster, headmistress

Examples of usage

  • The principal announced that there would be a school assembly tomorrow morning.
  • The principal is responsible for making important decisions regarding the school's policies and procedures.
Context #2 | Noun

finance

The original sum of money invested or loaned.

Synonyms

capital, initial amount

Examples of usage

  • The principal amount of the loan must be repaid in full by the end of the term.
  • The principal invested a large sum of money in the new business venture.
Context #3 | Adjective

main

First in order of importance; main.

Synonyms

chief, main, primary

Examples of usage

  • The principal reason for the project's failure was poor planning.
  • The principal aim of the organization is to promote environmental awareness.

Translations

Translations of the word "principal" in other languages:

🇵🇹 principal

🇮🇳 प्रधान

🇩🇪 Haupt-

🇮🇩 utama

🇺🇦 основний

🇵🇱 główny

🇯🇵 主な

🇫🇷 principal

🇪🇸 principal

🇹🇷 ana

🇰🇷 주요한

🇸🇦 رئيسي

🇨🇿 hlavní

🇸🇰 hlavný

🇨🇳 主要的

🇸🇮 glavni

🇮🇸 aðal-

🇰🇿 негізгі

🇬🇪 ძირითადი

🇦🇿 əsas

🇲🇽 principal

Etymology

The word 'principal' originated from the Latin word 'principalis', meaning 'first in importance'. It entered the English language in the 14th century with the sense of 'main' or 'chief'. Over time, it developed various meanings related to authority, finance, and importance. The use of 'principal' in the context of school leadership dates back to the 18th century.

Word Frequency Rank

At #826 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.