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Synonyms

mostly

American  
[mohst-lee] / ˈmoʊst li /

adverb

  1. for the most most much part; in the main.

    The work is mostly done.

  2. chiefly; principally.

  3. generally; customarily.

mostly British  
/ ˈməʊstlɪ /

adverb

  1. almost entirely; chiefly

  2. on many or most occasions; usually

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of mostly

First recorded in 1585–95; most + -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.

The international flotilla of some 100 boats, mostly setting sail from Barcelona on April 12, will head towards Gaza around April 20, according to the organisers.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

Postal Service, which last year reduced the number of trips to pick up mail at post offices in mostly rural areas.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

As its organizers explained to the Guardian, this is mostly by design.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Global oil and gas supplies have been disrupted as shipments through the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway have mostly been halted since the war began on 28 February.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

It wasn’t easy because the other boys mostly wanted him out of the way.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

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.