1
obsolete
: in a forceful manner
2
: for the most part : chiefly
Synonyms
Examples of mainly in a Sentence
you mainly need to focus on improving your golf swing
Recent Examples on the Web
They were offset by big gains in government (mainly education) adding 6,200 jobs and a buildup in the retail industry with 3,400 new jobs.
—
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023
Does a song generated mainly by AI at the specific prompting of a human being pass that barrier?
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 17 Nov. 2023
Through Tonight: Some showers will move through, mainly in the hours around midnight.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
He was raised mainly by his mother, Catherine Perry, who made a living selling souvenirs.
—Richard Goldstein, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
For example, new Omicron strains mainly evolve to avoid pre-existing immunity, Pekosz says.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023
Penicillin is mainly excreted through the kidneys, and diminished kidney function can cause the drug to accumulate to toxic levels.
—Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
The Rwanda plan was designed as a deterrent to the thousands of migrants, mainly from South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, who make the dangerous crossing in small dinghies and pleasure boats.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2023
Coixet has carved out an impressive career in what could be called pan-Atlantic cinema, making mainly English-language features with international casts but with a strongly European sensibility.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Nov. 2023
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Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023
Does a song generated mainly by AI at the specific prompting of a human being pass that barrier?
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 17 Nov. 2023
Through Tonight: Some showers will move through, mainly in the hours around midnight.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
He was raised mainly by his mother, Catherine Perry, who made a living selling souvenirs.
—Richard Goldstein, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
For example, new Omicron strains mainly evolve to avoid pre-existing immunity, Pekosz says.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023
Penicillin is mainly excreted through the kidneys, and diminished kidney function can cause the drug to accumulate to toxic levels.
—Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
The Rwanda plan was designed as a deterrent to the thousands of migrants, mainly from South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, who make the dangerous crossing in small dinghies and pleasure boats.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2023
Coixet has carved out an impressive career in what could be called pan-Atlantic cinema, making mainly English-language features with international casts but with a strongly European sensibility.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mainly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of mainly was
in the 13th century
Dictionary Entries Near mainly
Cite this Entry
“Mainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainly. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on mainly
Nglish: Translation of mainly for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of mainly for Arabic Speakers
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