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
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
For all the aforementioned moments, he may be remembered chiefly for refusing to watch the embarrassing Carabao Cup penalty-shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, instead sitting in the dugout and staring at the ground.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
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
They can be summoned via the third-party app Honk, which chiefly is used by tow truck operators to find stranded customers.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
For all the aforementioned moments, he may be remembered chiefly for refusing to watch the embarrassing Carabao Cup penalty-shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, instead sitting in the dugout and staring at the ground.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
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 12 Jan. 2026.
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