Principally: meaning, definitions and examples

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principally

[ˈprɪnsəpəli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in the main

Chiefly; mainly. Used to indicate that something is true or exists to a large extent, but not completely.

Synonyms

chiefly, mainly, mostly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
principally	Used when emphasizing the most important reason or cause, often in formal or written communication. The company is principally concerned with providing high-quality customer service. The improvement in her health was principally due to the new medication.
mainly	Used when expressing the major part or most significant aspect but often with less emphasis than 'principally' or 'chiefly'. Suitable for conversational and informal contexts. She mainly focuses on digital marketing. The weather in this region is mainly sunny during the summer.
chiefly	Used to indicate the primary factor or main point, often in context of description that highlights a majority element. Their diet consists chiefly of fruits and nuts. The book is chiefly about the history of the Roman Empire.
mostly	Used to describe the largest or most frequent part of something, usually in informal or general statements. He is mostly interested in science fiction books. The town is mostly quiet at night.

Examples of usage

He was principally interested in the financial side of the business.
She is principally responsible for the project's success.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

essentially

Used to indicate that something is essentially true or correct.

Synonyms

basically, essentially, fundamentally.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
principally	Use this when you want to emphasize the main reason or factor among several possibilities. The project was principally funded by the government. She is principally known for her work in environmental activism.
essentially	This is used to distill something down to its most fundamental nature, often implying that the details do not change the core idea. The two products are essentially the same, despite minor differences. Essentially, the decision is up to you.
basically	This word is best used when you want to simplify or summarize something by getting to its most important point. Basically, all you need to do is follow the instructions. The idea is basically a new way to recycle plastics.
fundamentally	This word should be used when discussing core aspects that are crucial and foundational, especially when highlighting deep-rooted differences or agreements. They have fundamentally different approaches to teaching. The issue is fundamentally about trust and transparency.

Examples of usage

The book is principally concerned with the impact of technology on society.
He is principally known for his research in the field of physics.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'principalis', which means 'chief' or 'primary'.
Its earliest recorded usage in English dates back to the 15th century.
The prefix 'prin-' relates to being first or primary, showing its importance in language.

Usage in Literature

In classic literature, the term is often used to highlight the main theme or message of a story.
It frequently appears in academic texts to clarify the primary focus of discussion.
Notable authors have utilized the term to emphasize the main character's motivations or conflicts.

Education

In teaching, educators often focus on 'principally' important concepts to help students grasp essential ideas.
Curriculum design prioritizes subjects that are principally relevant for learners’ development.
Standardized tests emphasize questions that assess principally understanding key knowledge areas.

Philosophy

Philosophical discussions often revolve around principles that are principally significant for ethical reasoning.
In moral philosophy, principles guide actions that are chiefly directed toward the greater good.
Exploration of concepts like free will and determinism often hinges on principally debated ideas.

Science

In scientific studies, researchers are principally concerned with the most impactful variables affecting outcomes.
The concept of principal components is crucial in data analysis to interpret multi-dimensional datasets.
Principally, scientists address hypotheses that stand as the foundation for experimental inquiry.

Translations

Translations of the word "principally" in other languages:

🇵🇹 principalmente

🇮🇳 मुख्य रूप से

🇩🇪 hauptsächlich

🇮🇩 terutama

🇺🇦 переважно

🇵🇱 głównie

🇯🇵 主に

🇫🇷 principalement

🇪🇸 principalmente

🇹🇷 öncelikle

🇰🇷 주로

🇸🇦 بشكل رئيسي

🇨🇿 hlavně

🇸🇰 hlavne

🇨🇳 主要地

🇸🇮 predvsem

🇮🇸 aðallega

🇰🇿 негізінен

🇬🇪 ძირითადად

🇦🇿 əsasən

🇲🇽 principalmente

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,259, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

...
4256 encouraging
4257 urine
4258 enzyme
4259 principally
4260 anyway
4261 applicants
4262 informal
...