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

While plans for the new competition remain embryonic, those involved insist there is money behind it, with that financial backing understood to be coming principally from the United States, rather than the Middle East.

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

District Judge David O. Carter castigated the VA for failing to use the 388-acre campus to ‘principally benefit veterans and their families.’

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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