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

In comparison, Germany, which mainly uses gas heating, has grids that are not dimensioned for a large amounts of electric heating. —April Roach, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025

Triveni has sustained its momentum, and exports—mainly to Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia—accounted for nearly half of total revenue in the year to end-March, up from 11% in 2011. —Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Constellation operates power plants mainly in Maryland, Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania and supplies electricity on the competitive retail market. —Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2025

Police in Chicago, Illinois, are urging residents to be cautious after a slew of violent robberies targeting mainly drunk individuals in the city's River North neighborhood. —Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 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