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

Largely, it’s been people like Swanson who have fully committed to the cause.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

Largely, we continue to see awareness at a younger age.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Largely because of the field, Iran and Qatar have the second- and third-largest proven gas reserves in the world, respectively.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Largely absent are even the most basic stories analyzing Iran’s losses and the fate of their supposed leadership.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

Largely because of that, he and Joe had hardly ever exchanged two words, at least not civil words.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Related Words

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