secondary
SEH-kuhnd-rih
Secondary (adjective) means of lesser importance than something else; not primary. Example: “Cost was a secondary concern compared to safety.”
adjective
1
Of lesser importance than something else; not primary.
"Cost was a secondary concern compared to safety."
"He took a secondary role in the negotiations."
"Appearance is of secondary importance when choosing a reliable car."
2
Relating to education for children roughly aged eleven to eighteen, after primary school.
"She teaches maths at a secondary school."
"My brother starts secondary education next September."
"The town has two primary schools but only one secondary school."
How to use secondary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSecond in rank or importance, or referring to the school stage after primary school.
Common pairings
secondary school
secondary concern
secondary source
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more secondary
- Superlative
- most secondary
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Cost was a _____ concern compared to safety.
Etymology
From Latin "secundarius" ("of the second class"), from "secundus" ("second").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for secondary
See all rhymes for secondary →Frequently asked questions
What does “secondary” mean?
The word “secondary” means of lesser importance than something else; not primary. In plain terms, second in rank or importance, or referring to the school stage after primary school.
How do you pronounce “secondary”?
“Secondary” is pronounced SEH-kuhnd-rih (/ˈsɛkənˌdɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “secondary” in a sentence?
Here is “secondary” used in a sentence: “Cost was a secondary concern compared to safety.”
What part of speech is “secondary”?
“Secondary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “secondary” come from?
The word “secondary” comes from Latin. From Latin "secundarius" ("of the second class"), from "secundus" ("second").
Is “secondary” a common word?
“Secondary” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “secondary” have?
“Secondary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of lesser importance than something else; not primary.
What is the difference between primary and secondary?
Primary means first in importance, order or rank — the main thing. Secondary means it comes after that, of lesser importance or as a supporting element. A primary goal is the main aim; a secondary goal matters less. The pair is used to separate what is central from what is subordinate or supplementary.
Is "secondary" a negative word?
Not really. Secondary simply ranks something below what is primary; it does not mean bad or unimportant, just less central. A secondary concern still matters, and a secondary source is still useful. The word is mostly neutral, though calling someone's role secondary can feel dismissive depending on the context.
What is an example of "secondary" in a sentence?
You might say, "Cost was a secondary consideration after safety," or "That is a secondary issue we can deal with later." The word marks something as less important than the main point. It also appears in fixed terms like secondary school, secondary source and secondary colour.
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