in principle

Idioms  

1. Fundamentally, in general, but not necessarily in all particulars. For example, The diplomats accepted the idea in principle but would rely on experts to work out all the details. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in principle

I agree, in principle, that we all only need to be good at one thing.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 25, 2026

The project, agreed in principle with the Fujairah Ports Authority under a 50-year concession, includes a container and multipurpose terminal and a general-cargo terminal, the global ports operator said Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

The Honourable Mr Justice Mould said that the decision was "at least in principle" open to challenge.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

“There’s a number of high-level things that people are opposed to in principle that are not represented in the language,” he said, noting the bill gives state regulators access to the algorithms.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

The latter notion—statistical testing of hypotheses—is simple in principle.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos