mainly

adverb

main·​ly ˈmān-lē 

1

obsolete : in a forceful manner

2

: for the most part : chiefly

Synonyms of mainly

• 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

Norway is one of the world’s wealthiest countries, with the world’s largest sovereign-wealth fund, mainly thanks to its oil reserves. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 30 June 2026

And that might be the part managers most need to sit with, because these Gen Z work preferences feel disruptive mainly because the youngest people in the room are the ones saying them out loud. — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

The site was supposed to be the part of the first phase of the Brooklyn Village redevelopment, which, after a few changes, was set to be mainly affordable housing. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026

The vaccine is no longer given routinely to the public and is mainly used for select military, laboratory and emergency-response needs. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mainly

• plainly
• sanely
• vainly
• humanely
• insanely
• profanely
• ungainly