mainly
/ˈmeɪnli/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.60 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
adv
Of a person or thing being the driving force influencing the outcome of an event; chiefly; certainly for the most part.
Example Sentences
- "She had Lord James' collar in one big fist and she pounded the table with the other and talked a blue streak. Nobody could make out plain what she said, for she was mainly jabbering Swede lingo, but there was English enough, of a kind, to give us some idee."
- "If you’re looking for the most breathable mask, Lukovics says, “Cotton is preferable, mainly for absorbing moisture/sweat.” She says multiple layers may be more protective but will also impact breathability."
- "Such breadth of ſhoulders as might mainely beare Olde Atlas burthen, […]"
- "Mainly they all attonce vpon him laid, / And sore beset on euery side around […]"
- "But in the end, mainly crying out, he fell to raling and wringing his master, upbraiding him that he was not a true Philosopher[…]."
Etymology
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *megʰ-, maynly
Regional Pronunciation
- British English: /ˈmeɪnli/