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.
Researchers say the finding points to a surprising mechanism and challenges the prevailing idea that chronic viral reactivation occurs mainly because of immunosuppression.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
In a bond prospectus, Hengli said its crude oil is mainly sourced from the Middle East, including from Saudi Aramco and other companies it didn’t name.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
At Chelsea, Maresca mainly used a man-to-man press high up the pitch.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
The decision to rent versus buy is mainly just a financial decision.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
Each person addressed his words mainly to the mute.
From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers
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.
