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.
Mainly, while all of the top candidates have impressive resumes, there’s a lack of star power that could help propel someone to the forefront.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
Mainly, though, the film is an exercise in high-decibel disgust generation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Mainly, this matters in the realm of cinematic and box office achievement, for which “Sinners” won a 2026 Golden Globe.
From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026
Mainly, he explained to his clients what fusion is—Smashing atoms together to make a new element, which releases energy, like stars.
From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025
Mainly it was to stop the awful sounds coming out of you.
From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner
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.
