mostly
Americanadverb
-
for the most part; in the main.
The work is mostly done.
-
chiefly; principally.
-
generally; customarily.
adverb
-
almost entirely; chiefly
-
on many or most occasions; usually
Etymology
Origin of mostly
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.
On a recent evening, the Rome sports bar Delirum Café was mostly empty, save for a table of Norwegian tourists watching their team play Ivory Coast.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 4, 2026
According to Woodard, the early immigration waves - driven mostly by industrialisation - helped boost the political power of the American north.
From BBC • Jul. 4, 2026
It seemed to disprove the understanding that AI has been hurting mostly younger employees and those in entry-level jobs.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 4, 2026
In a recent report the Los Angeles Police Department said drones were deployed more than 3,000 times last year, mostly in response to emergency calls or officer requests for assistance.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2026
I ask, mostly joking, since I know the answer already.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
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.
