principally

[ prin-suh-puh-lee, -sip-lee ]

adverb

1. chiefly; mainly.

   Synonyms: primarily

ˈprincipally

/ ˈprɪnsɪpəlɪ /

adverb

1. mainly or most importantly

Word History and Origins

Origin of principally¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; principal, -ly

Synonym Study

See especially.

Example Sentences

An intense bombing campaign has broadened far beyond the country’s southern border villages and the capital Beirut, to towns in the fertile Bekaa and the historic city of Baalbek, principally Shia areas, where Hezbollah was founded.

From BBC

But there are those who think this is a sensible policy - one that principally sees wealthier families pay more in order to help fund education for all.

From BBC

So, understandably, the focus principally, for now, is on reaching them rather than a broader audience.

From BBC

Under a slightly different legal standard, he also invalidated leases to the Brentwood School, an oil drilling operation and two parking lots, all illegal because they did not principally serve veterans and their families.

From Los Angeles Times

Setting down a principle that he interpreted as “principally serving veterans,” Carter demanded that Bridgeland offer 51% of its gross revenue from the wells.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• basically
• chiefly
• first and foremost
• generally
• importantly
• largely
• mostly
• notably
• particularly
• predominantly