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chiefly

chiefly

22 3.0
Mainly or for the most part
  • adverb
  • /ˈtʃifli/
translation icon : principalmente
  • Once, he bought an interest in a small-town drug store, chiefly to improve his knowledge of pharmacy.
  • chiefly responsible
  • chiefly concerned
  • consist chiefly

Most people are honest chiefly for fear of getting caught.

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Examples

  • Most people are honest chiefly for fear of getting caught.

  • Most people are honest chiefly for fear of getting caught.

  • A slice of bread is what we chiefly need.

  • A loaf of bread is what we chiefly need.

  • First, it attempts a more systematic study of the press coverage, chiefly of the Indian Express.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Nowadays, memory plays a peripheral role in schooling, chiefly in the study of foreign languages.

    Academic text (1992)
  • She is chiefly remembered as the author of the novel Frankenstein.

  • The Abridgement of Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon is intended chiefly for use in schools.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Uranium is mined all over the world, chiefly in Canada and Australia.

  • She is chiefly remembered as the author of the novel Frankenstein.

Synonyms

mostly
vschiefly
1.0

For the most part

focuses on primary role rather than frequency of occurrence
largely
vschiefly
602 2.4

For the most part

highlights the main role instead of degree emphasis
primarily
vschiefly
457 2.4

To be mostly about one main thing

shares identical sense rather than a different idea
mainly
vschiefly
418 1.0

For the most part

is the same meaning with no notable difference
for the most part
vschiefly
261 3.2

It happens in most cases but not always

focuses on the main aspect rather than multiple aspects
predominantly
vschiefly
103 3.7

Mainly true in most cases

points to primary role rather than sheer extent
by and large
vschiefly
89 3.4

To say that something is true in most cases

focuses on the chief factor rather than generality
principally
vschiefly
31 4.0

Mostly or for the most part

has the same core meaning without changing focus
in the main
vschiefly
9 3.7

In most cases

refers to the principal element rather than broad trend
majorly
vschiefly
  • UK
3 6.7

For the most part

is the more neutral or standard expression rather than casual
foremostly
vschiefly
  • Archaic
6.7

Most of all, more important than other things

refers to what is primarily true rather than highest importance

Antonyms

secondarily
  • Formal
5 5.2

In a less important way or as a result of something else

How Predominant

exclusively
191 3.3
predominantly
103 3.7
chiefly
22 3.0
mainly
418 1.0
partly
375 1.0

Surface Forms

chiefly positive

Morphology

chiefly = chief (transparent) = chief + ly

Formed directly from the adjective 'chief' with the adverbial suffix '-ly', so the meaning 'mainly' is predictable.

Etymology

Chiefly comes from the word chief, which originally meant 'head' or leader. So, just as a chief is the main person, chiefly means 'mainly' or 'for the most part'.