mainly
Americanadverb
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chiefly; principally; for the most part; in the main; to the greatest extent.
Our success was due mainly to your efforts. The audience consisted mainly of students.
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Obsolete. greatly; mightily; abundantly.
adverb
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for the most part; to the greatest extent; principally
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obsolete strongly; very much
Etymology
Origin of mainly
First recorded in 1225–75, mainly is from the Middle English word maynliche, maynly. See main 1, -ly
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.
“Punk-ish, mainly … We sing songs about being middle-aged and menopausal and more or less invisible. And you thought the Clash were angry.”
From Los Angeles Times
The precise figures vary slightly between major climate groups, owing mainly to small differences in how the pre-industrial temperature is calculated.
From BBC
The disputes have mainly centered around what to do about trees and other living vegetation, like shrubs and grass.
From Los Angeles Times
Imports from mainly Japan, Korea, Mexico, Europe, and Canada made up the rest.
From Barron's
It’s been quite a ride for investors and analysts, mainly driven by AI.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
