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adverb Common

predominantly

prih-DO-mih-nuhnt-lee

Predominantly (adverb) means Mostly or mainly; more than anything else. Example: “The neighborhood is predominantly residential, with just a few shops scattered around.”

adverb
1
Mostly or mainly; more than anything else.
"The neighborhood is predominantly residential, with just a few shops scattered around."

How to use predominantly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFor the most part — used when one thing clearly outweighs the rest.

Common pairings
predominantly made up of predominantly rural predominantly English-speaking

Word forms

more predominantly comparative, most predominantly superlative

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The neighborhood is _____ residential, with just a few shops scattered around.

Etymology

From predominant plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

chiefly overwhelmingly for the most part

Related words

Rhymes for predominantly

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Frequently asked questions

What does “predominantly” mean?

The word “predominantly” means mostly or mainly; more than anything else. In plain terms, for the most part — used when one thing clearly outweighs the rest.

How do you pronounce “predominantly”?

“Predominantly” is pronounced prih-DO-mih-nuhnt-lee (/pɹɪˈdɒmɪnəntli/ in IPA).

How do you use “predominantly” in a sentence?

Here is “predominantly” used in a sentence: “The neighborhood is predominantly residential, with just a few shops scattered around.”

What part of speech is “predominantly”?

“Predominantly” is an adverb.

Is “predominantly” a common word?

“Predominantly” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is the difference between predominantly and entirely?

Predominantly means mostly or mainly, allowing for some exceptions, while entirely means completely and without exception. A region that is predominantly rural may still contain some urban areas, but an entirely rural region would have none.

How is predominantly different from mostly?

Predominantly and mostly are close synonyms, but predominantly is more formal and often used in academic, statistical, or descriptive writing, while mostly is more common in everyday speech.

Can predominantly be used with numbers or percentages?

Predominantly is typically used descriptively rather than with an exact percentage, as in the population is predominantly elderly. If a precise figure is needed, words like mainly with a stated percentage are more appropriate.

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