Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

chiefly

/ˈtʃiːf.li/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.42 in modern English

Syllables: chiefly
IPA: /ˈtʃiːf.li/

18

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

Especially or primarily; above all.

adv

Mainly or principally; almost entirely.

adj

Of or relating to a chief.

Example Sentences

"Their relationship is chiefly professional."
"This is a term chiefly used by online gamers."
"But questions presisted^([sic]), chiefly because of the acknowledged and continuing Federal investigation of Mr. Mandel's wealthy friends, W. Dale Hess and Harry W. Rogers 3d, who have profited from business with the state."
"The maintenance of a perpetual fire came to be associated with chiefly or royal dignity."

Etymology

From Middle English chefly; equivalent to chief + -ly (adverbial suffix).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: chefly

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /ˈtʃiːf.li/

Inflected Forms

more chiefly (comparative) most chiefly (superlative) chieflier (comparative) chiefliest (superlative)

Derived Forms

unchiefly

Synonyms

first and foremost particularly by and large for the most part largely principally primarily mainly in the main

Rhymes With

briefly

Questions

How do you pronounce chiefly?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈtʃiːf.li/.
What does chiefly mean?: Especially or primarily; above all.
Where does chiefly come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce chiefly

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “chiefly”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈtʃiːf.li/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “chiefly”.
Repeat and practice — Say “chiefly” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.