principal
15 synonyms and 0 antonyms for principal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Most important; main.
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.
How to use principal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French principal, from Latin prīncipālis ("first, foremost").
Full origin of principal →Frequently asked questions
What does “principal” mean?
The word “principal” means most important; main. In plain terms, the main or most important thing/person — or, in schools and finance, a specific job title and a specific sum of money.
How do you pronounce “principal”?
“Principal” is pronounced PRIHN-sih-puhl (/ˈpɹɪn.sɪ.pəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “principal” in a sentence?
Here is “principal” used in a sentence: “The principal reason for the delay was the weather.”
What part of speech is “principal”?
Depending on how it is used, “principal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “principal” come from?
The word “principal” comes from Latin. From Old French principal, from Latin prīncipālis ("first, foremost").
Is “principal” a common word?
“Principal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “principal” have?
“Principal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: most important; main.
What is the difference between principal and principle?
"Principal" means most important or main, as in the principal reason, and as a noun it names a head teacher or a sum of money. "Principle" is only a noun, meaning a fundamental rule or belief, as in a matter of principle. If you mean a rule, choose principle.
How do you remember principal vs principle?
Remember that the principal is your "pal" — the word ending in "pal" refers to the main person, such as a school principal, or to something main or chief. "Principle" ends in "-ple" and always means a rule, standard, or belief. When you mean a rule, use principle.
What is an example of principal used in a sentence?
"Safety is our principal concern" means safety is the most important concern. Other examples include "the principal cause of the delay," "her principal source of income," and "the principal characters in the play." In each, "principal" points to the leading, main, or chief element among several.
Can principal also be a noun?
Yes. Besides meaning main or most important, "principal" is a noun with several senses: the head of a school, the lead performer in a company, the main party in a contract, or the original sum of a loan or investment, apart from interest. Context shows which meaning applies.