mainly

[meyn-lee] / ˈmeɪn li /

ADVERB

for the most part

Synonyms

STRONG

chiefly primarily principally

WEAK

above all essentially first and foremost generally in general in the main largely most of all mostly on the whole overall predominantly substantially to the greatest extent usually

Antonyms

STRONG

secondarily

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The economist expects the tariff to apply to branded pharmaceuticals for which no exemptions have been negotiated, which would mainly affect economies such as Singapore, India and China, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Like David Lang, Isamu Noguchi was a native Angeleno who spent his career mainly in New York.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

No less than half of the silver is used in industry, mainly for electronics, solar panels, and medical applications.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

All Pulling Together, based in Stonehouse, is a community interest company mainly run by volunteers.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

I realize I don’t know exactly what my mom did during the hours we were at school, mainly because in the self-centered manner of any child I never asked.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

mainly

Example Sentences

Related Words