largely

American  

[lahrj-lee] / ˈlɑrdʒ li /

adverb

1. to a great extent; in great part; generally; chiefly.

   The plan depends largely on his willingness to cooperate. That is largely incorrect.

2. in great quantity; much.

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largely British  

/ ˈlɑːdʒlɪ /

adverb

1. principally; to a great extent

2. on a large scale or in a large manner

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Etymology

Origin of largely

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English; large + -ly

Explanation

Use the adverb largely to mean "mostly." You might say that you're largely pleased with the way your favorite baseball team played this season if they won more games than they lost. If a group art project was largely completed at your house, that means you primarily worked on it there, and when a once-popular novelist is largely forgotten, she's generally fallen out of favor with today's readers. Largely is a useful alternative to "mostly," "mainly," or "chiefly," and it comes from the adjective large, in Old French "broad, wide, or generous," from a Latin root, largus, "abundant, plentiful, bountiful, or liberal."

Example Sentences

Upstream production meanwhile, has also stalled, largely as a result of the closure of the Strait, with production in the region down some 10 million barrels per day from prewar levels.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

However, U.S. stock futures shrugged at overnight developments, trading largely flat.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

In practice, reformers say, bail amounts have largely been set by vibes, with judges given broad leeway to use discretion.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

The inquest into the lack of British singles success at the French Open is nothing new and is largely down to a lack of exposure to the clay.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Cedar waxwings—small cardinal-like birds that are largely gray—come in the first part of spring.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• broadly
• chiefly
• generally
• mostly
• predominantly
• principally
• widely