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Glite Dictionary
mostly

mostly

∞ 1.0
For the most part
  • adverb
  • /ˈmoʊstli/
translation icon : principalmente
  • She eats mostly fruits and vegetables to stay healthy.
  • consist mostly of
  • mostly focused
  • mostly attend college

So I think that they, that structure mostly serves as landmarks.

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Examples

  • While some family dysfunction was discussed, participants mostly shared positive childhood and young adult experiences.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Oh, I write novels, mostly horror.

    Werewolf Cabal (2022)

  • So yeah, I think it is mostly time to get started.

  • You have played roles mostly that are very powerful.

  • Well, and I think it's mostly original paint.

  • - I mostly think about basketball.

    Air (2023)

  • There is an increasing gap between the very few rich and the mostly poor citizens.

    Academic text (2011)

  • All of them are mostly Ivy League schools.

  • So I do cross training mostly for longevity.

    Lex Fridman

  • Accordingly, it can be said that teachers are mostly willing to attend the meetings.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

usually
vsmostly
∞ 1.0

Most of the time

is a bit broader and slightly less tied to regular occasions
generally
vsmostly
∞ 1.0

Usually or in most cases

is more neutral and less rule oriented in everyday use
largely
vsmostly
602 2.4

For the most part

focuses more on generality rather than degree or extent
primarily
vsmostly
457 2.4

To be mostly about one main thing

is the more casual or general label for that central idea
mainly
vsmostly
418 1.0

For the most part

is a more general, less formal way to say that idea
for the most part
vsmostly
261 3.2

It happens in most cases but not always

is the shorter, more common expression for the same idea
commonly
vsmostly
186 1.0

In most cases

is more general and not focused on common social patterns
predominantly
vsmostly
103 3.7

Mainly true in most cases

is the simpler way to indicate general majority without emphasis
by and large
vsmostly
89 3.4

To say that something is true in most cases

is the straightforward single word used more often in speech
more often than not
vsmostly
  • Informal
52 2.6

Happens most of the time

is a shorter general adverb used more naturally in many contexts
principally
vsmostly
31 4.0

Mostly or for the most part

is the everyday, less formal way to express that focus
chiefly
vsmostly
22 3.0

Mainly or for the most part

is the neutral, more common wording for that same idea
in the main
vsmostly
9 3.7

In most cases

is the everyday expression that gives the same overall sense
majorly
vsmostly
  • UK
3 6.7

For the most part

is the standard neutral form used in formal contexts

Antonyms

rarely
539 1.0

Happens only a few times

How Much

entirely
∞ 2.2
predominantly
103 3.7
mostly
∞ 1.0
generally
∞ 1.0
partly
375 1.0

Surface Forms

mostly positive

Morphology

mostly = most (transparent) = most + ly

A regular adverb formed from 'most' with '-ly'; the meaning 'for the most part' follows directly.

Etymology

Mostly comes from the simple word most, which means 'greatest part' or 'almost all', plus the ending -ly that turns a word into an adverb. So mostly literally means 'in the greatest part' and is used to say 'mainly' or 'for the most part'.