chiefly

[cheef-lee]

adverb

1. primarily; essentially.

   He phoned chiefly to let us know he was feeling better.

2. mainly; mostly.

   This dish consists chiefly of noodles.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or like a chief.

   his chiefly responsibilities.

chiefly

/ ˈtʃiːflɪ /

adverb

1. especially or essentially; above all

2. in general; mainly; mostly

adjective

1. of or relating to a chief or chieftain

Word History and Origins

Origin of chiefly¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; chief, -ly

Synonym Study

See especially.

Example Sentences

Objects are separated chiefly by region and/or era among seven expansive, interlocking pavilions and a handful of smaller galleries.

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They signed over key elements of their personal fortune to him - chiefly the multiple properties they owned and their contents - thereby sheltering them from laws targeting Jews.

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There is also an election on the horizon and oil and gas is likely to be a key campaigning point in north east Scotland, where seats are chiefly contested between the SNP and the Conservatives.

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The White House has been chiefly interested of late in their potential to create demand for government securities at a time when it needs to sell more of them.

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“We’re doing very little socially apart from posting clips from our show. That is chiefly the social strategy, which is not rocket science.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• especially 
• essentially 
• largely 
• mostly 
• predominantly www.thesaurus.com
• principally