mostly
21 synonyms and 2 antonyms for mostly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — For the greater part; mainly or generally.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use mostly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Formed from "most" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly".
Full origin of mostly →Frequently asked questions
What does “mostly” mean?
The word “mostly” means for the greater part; mainly or generally. In plain terms, used to say something is true in most cases, but not necessarily all.
How do you pronounce “mostly”?
“Mostly” is pronounced MOHST-lee (/ˈmoʊstli/ in IPA).
How do you use “mostly” in a sentence?
Here is “mostly” used in a sentence: “The audience was mostly students.”
What is another word for “mostly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “mostly” include by and large, in the main, more often than not, predominantly, largely and principally.
What is the opposite of “mostly”?
The opposite of “mostly” — its antonyms — are almost and slightly.
What part of speech is “mostly”?
“Mostly” is an adverb.
Is “mostly” a common word?
“Mostly” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between mostly and mainly?
The two are very close and often interchangeable. Mostly leans toward 'for the greatest part' or 'most of the time,' suggesting a large majority. Mainly leans toward 'chiefly' or 'above all,' pointing to the most important reason or element. In everyday speech, either usually works fine.
Does mostly mean always?
No. Mostly means for the greater part, not entirely. If something is mostly true, it is true in most respects but not every one; if you are mostly at home, you are there most of the time but not constantly. It leaves room for exceptions, whereas 'always' allows none.
What is an example of mostly in a sentence?
You might say, 'The audience was mostly students,' meaning students formed the majority but not everyone. Other examples include 'I mostly work from home' or 'the weather was mostly sunny,' where mostly signals that something is generally or largely the case, allowing for some exceptions.