1
: most importantly : principally, especially
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
Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Garlic honey is considered chiefly safe if made correctly, but side effects are possible.
—Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2025
Mark L. Haas, Foreign Affairs, 24 July 2025
Our own arcane and slow processes are chiefly to blame.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for chiefly
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Adverb
This evolved into a prototype chiefly engineered by Burrell Smith, selecting for its CPU the 8-bit Motorola 6809 as an upgrade from the Apple II's MOS 6502 but still keeping costs low.
—Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Garlic honey is considered chiefly safe if made correctly, but side effects are possible.
—Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
As the number of seniors skyrockets, government obligations for the welfare of the elderly, chiefly pensions and health care, have ballooned.
—Mark L. Haas, Foreign Affairs, 24 July 2025
Our own arcane and slow processes are chiefly to blame.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for chiefly
Cite this Entry
“Chiefly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chiefly. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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