main — most important; principal; chief
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: most important; principal; chief
Pronunciation (IPA): /meɪn/
Example Sentences
- My main hobby is collecting pizza boxes from around the world.
- The main problem with my diet is that chocolate keeps calling my name.
- What's the main ingredient in this dish?
main
ADJECTIVE[/meɪn/]
most important; principal; chief
Business people enter through the main entrance while side doors remain less used
Use your brain to catch the main train!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word 'main' derives from Old English 'mægen', which originally meant 'strength' or 'power'. Over time, the meaning evolved to denote 'principal' or 'important', as the concept of strength became associated with primary importance or chief significance.
Breakdown
mægen (strength, power) → main (principal, important). The semantic shift reflects how physical strength came to represent primary or dominant status.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My main hobby is collecting pizza boxes from around the world.”
“The main problem with my diet is that chocolate keeps calling my name.”
“What's the main ingredient in this dish?”
“Please use the main entrance, not the back door.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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