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Definitions

principal

[prin-suh-puhl] / ˈprɪn sə pəl /
ADJECTIVE
most important
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dominant key leading main major outstanding paramount predominant preeminent primary prime prominent
STRONG
arch capital cardinal champion chief essential first head maximum premier sovereign star superior
WEAK
controlling crowning foremost greatest highest incomparable mainline matchless peerless prevailing second to none stellar strongest supereminent supreme transcendent unapproachable unequaled unparalleled unrivaled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inconspicuous inessential inferior insignificant last lesser minor nonessential ordinary secondary subordinate trivial unimportant unknown
STRONG
auxiliary least lower poor
WEAK
extra
NOUN
person in charge of organization, often an educational one
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administrator boss chief dean director superintendent
STRONG
exec head lead leader preceptor protagonist rector ruler star
WEAK
key player
Antonyms
STRONGEST
employee worker
STRONG
commoner follower
WEAK
interest
NOUN
original amount of property either owned or owed
Synonyms
STRONG
assets capital money
WEAK
capital funds
Antonyms
WEAK
interest

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.

Stella has until now been fulfilling the role to which Lambiase has been appointed, that of chief racing officer, in addition to that of team principal.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

“We’re still in a longer-term period of dollar weakness,” says Kristin Ceva, managing principal at asset manager Payden & Rygel.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

“I’ll put the odds of a deal in the next 10 days at 90%,” says Brian McCarthy, managing principal of Macrolens, a boutique investment-research firm in Massachusetts.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

He will serve as president elect under the new president, Alexis Barile, the former principal at Corona Centennial, for 2026-27 and 2027-28 before taking over a two-year term.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

“Aren’t you clever?” the principal said as she swiped Olivia’s feet off the table.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Vocabulary lists containing principal

Some Tricky Homonyms

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A Graduation Lexicon

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Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!