largely

adverb

large·​ly ˈlärj-lē 

: in a large manner

especially : to a large extent : mostly, primarily

words largely unknown a decade ago

Synonyms of largely

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

Examples of largely in a Sentence

The story is largely true.

He is largely responsible for the problem.

The economy is based largely on farming.

Recent Examples on the Web

For many junior service members, the Pentagon's senior leadership has historically been largely removed from their day-to-day concerns. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Shipping through the crucial waterway has come to an almost complete standstill causing delays to projects which were even largely complete before war broke out. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Freight service on the line largely ended in 1982 after the closure of the Faro lead-zinc mine in the Yukon, but the railroad was revived in 1988 as a heritage attraction. — Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026

One of the main problems with determining the extent and dangers of pesticide drift in Illinois, advocates say, is a system that largely responds only after harm is reported. — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

largely

adverb

large·​ly ˈlärj-lē 

1

: generally sense 1

the story is largely true

2

: in a great amount

tipped the waiter largely