mainly

adverb

main·​ly ˈmān-lē How to pronounce mainly (audio)
Synonyms of mainlynext
1
obsolete : in a forceful manner
2
: for the most part : chiefly

Examples of mainly in a Sentence

you mainly need to focus on improving your golf swing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Planters are usually larger, hold multiple plants, and are designed mainly for outdoor use. Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 22 Jan. 2026 Other people worked as porteurs (mineral carriers), laveurs (mineral washers), and ramasseurs (groups, consisting mainly of children, who pick up slag that has been discarded near the mines). Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026 The winds, however, on Wednesday will be weaker, which will keep the feels-like temperatures mainly above zero. Bill Kelly, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026 In the big picture, the district currently allocates extra resources based mainly on which schools are performing worse on academic measures, not race. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mainly

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mainly was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Mainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainly. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.

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