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mainly — for the most part; chiefly

Part of speech: ADVERB

Definition: for the most part; chiefly

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmeɪnli/

Example Sentences

  • I mainly eat pizza when I'm stressed, which explains my pizza-shaped belly.
  • The meeting was mainly about complaining about other meetings.
  • Students mainly use this library for sleeping and free Wi-Fi.

mainly

ADVERB

[/ˈmeɪnli/]

for the most part; chiefly

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈmeɪnli/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈmeɪnli/

🌳Etymology

Rootmain
Suffix--ly

Origin

From Middle English 'mainly', derived from the adjective 'main' (meaning principal or chief) combined with the adverb-forming suffix '-ly'. The adjective 'main' comes from Old French 'maine' and Latin 'magnus' meaning 'great'.

Breakdown

main (chief, principal) + -ly (adverb suffix, in a manner of) = mainly (in a principal manner; chiefly)

🎵Rhyme

plainly
vainly
sanely

🔗Collocations

mainly because
mainly focus on
mainly consist of
mainly responsible for
mainly used for
mainly due to

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“I mainly eat pizza when I'm stressed, which explains my pizza-shaped belly.”

😄 Fun example

“The meeting was mainly about complaining about other meetings.”

😄 Fun example

“Students mainly use this library for sleeping and free Wi-Fi.”

“The company mainly focuses on developing sustainable technologies.”

📚Related Words

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