chiefly

1 of 2

adverb

chief·​ly ˈchē-flē 

1

: most importantly : principally, especially

2

: for the most part : mostly, mainly

chiefly

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to a chief

chiefly duties

Synonyms of chiefly

Adverb

• mainly
• mostly
• primarily
• largely
• principally
• predominantly

Examples of chiefly in a Sentence

Adverb

our video collection consists chiefly of comedies, but we have a few horror movies

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Analysts project the state budget’s Special Transportation Fund — which is paid for chiefly with various fuel and sales tax receipts — will run up a $214 million or 9% surplus next fiscal year, leaving some to ask why the diesel tax is increasing at all. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2026

Coal fuel is a major producer of greenhouse gas emissions, chiefly carbon dioxide, driving climate change. —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 4 June 2026

Adjective

Astilbe is a noun meaning any of a genus of chiefly Asian perennial plants of the saxifrage family that have simple or usually compound leaves and are widely cultivated for their panicles of usually white, pink or red flowers. —City News Service, Daily News, 26 May 2026

The annual celebration, which traces its roots back to the chiefly British Empire Day, observes the unity of the Commonwealth of Nations, an international association of 56 countries. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1870, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chiefly

• briefly

Kids Definition

chiefly

adverb

chief·​ly

ˈchē-flē

1

: above all

2

: for the most part