mainly

adverb

main·​ly ˈmān-lē 

1

obsolete : in a forceful manner

2

: for the most part : chiefly

Synonyms

• mostly
• primarily
• chiefly
• largely
• predominantly
• principally
• basically
• generally

Examples of mainly in a Sentence

you mainly need to focus on improving your golf swing

Recent Examples on the Web

His role mainly involves leading an HKU group that is working on the selection of the landing site for the Tianwen-3 MSR mission. —Leonard David, Space.com, 29 June 2025

Most jewelry trade shows are mainly concerned with buying and selling, but the June 2025 edition of the JCK show in Las Vegas communicated multiple messages about how and why jewelry and other luxury goods are becoming more earth-friendly. —Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm are expected mainly between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., with a chance of precipitation continuing into the evening. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025

Mamdani won mainly by tapping into one of the two issues New Yorkers care about the most: affordability (the other is quality of life). —Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mainly

• plainly
• sanely
• vainly
• humanely
• insanely
• profanely
• ungainly