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Definitions

mainly

[meyn-lee] / ˈmeɪn li /
ADVERB
for the most part
Synonyms
STRONG
chiefly primarily principally
WEAK
above all essentially first and foremost generally in general in the main largely most of all mostly on the whole overall predominantly substantially to the greatest extent usually
Antonyms
STRONG
secondarily

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.

No less than half of the silver is used in industry, mainly for electronics, solar panels, and medical applications.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Like David Lang, Isamu Noguchi was a native Angeleno who spent his career mainly in New York.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Previously, scientists believed actin mainly reached this region by random diffusion.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

Visits to Mount Vernon and Monticello are treated mainly as occasions to remind us, as if any reader of this book will need reminding, that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were deeply implicated in slavery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Often, Ben had watched Jim Don walking the halls of school escorted by Ansley and a school of pilot fish mainly composed of third string football players.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.