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TAKE THE QUIZprinciple
noun
prin·ci·ple
ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl
-sə-bəl
1
a
: a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption
b(1)
: a rule or code of conduct
c
: the laws or facts of nature underlying the working of an artificial device
Evidence of confusion between principle and principal can be found even in publications overseen by professional editors. To keep these words straight, remember that principle functions only as a noun, and in its most common uses refers to a basic rule or law, as in
a guiding principle
or
a matter of principle.
If you are looking for an adjective form of this word, you must use principled, as in
taking a principled stand.
Principal functions as both a noun and an adjective. The noun has various meanings referring to someone with controlling authority
the school principal
or in a leading position
the ballet's two principals
, but also has meanings relating to finance, law, and architecture. As an adjective, principal typically means "most important," as in
the principal reason.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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- Often used to describe “the march of time,” what does inexorable mean?


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