adv
Uncommon
chiefly
CHEEF-lee
Chiefly (adv) means Mainly or for the most part. Example: “The delay was caused chiefly by bad weather.”
adv
1
Mainly or for the most part.
"The delay was caused chiefly by bad weather."
"The class is aimed chiefly at beginners."
How to use chiefly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMostly, primarily — used to point out the main reason or focus among several.
Common pairings
chiefly because
chiefly due to
aimed chiefly at
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more chiefly, chieflier
- Superlative
- most chiefly, chiefliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The delay was caused _____ by bad weather.
Etymology
Formed from "chief" plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for chiefly
See all rhymes for chiefly →Frequently asked questions
What does “chiefly” mean?
The word “chiefly” means mainly or for the most part. In plain terms, mostly, primarily — used to point out the main reason or focus among several.
How do you pronounce “chiefly”?
“Chiefly” is pronounced CHEEF-lee (/ˈtʃiːf.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “chiefly” in a sentence?
Here is “chiefly” used in a sentence: “The delay was caused chiefly by bad weather.”
What is another word for “chiefly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “chiefly” include particularly, for the most part and largely.
What part of speech is “chiefly”?
“Chiefly” is an adverb.
Is “chiefly” a common word?
“Chiefly” is an uncommon word in modern English.
