principal
gb/pɹˈɪnsəpəl/ us/pɹˈɪnsəpəl/
A2
English
~ 2500
iskolaigazgató, igazgató, fő, elsődleges, legfontosabb, legfőbb, tőkeösszeg, tőke
NOUN
A2
1
igazgató
A2
Usage pattern:
the principal of [a school]
The principal announced a new policy for student safety.
Az igazgató új szabályzatot jelentett be a diákok biztonsága érdekében.
Parents met with the principal to discuss their child's progress.
A szülők találkoztak az igazgatóval, hogy megbeszéljék gyermekük iskolai előmenetelét.
Our school's principal has been here for over ten years.
The principal addressed the assembly in the auditorium.
Learner examples
The principal spoke to the students.
Az igazgató beszélt a diákokhoz.
I saw the principal in the hall.
Láttam az igazgatót a folyosón.
Our principal is very kind.
The principal works in the office.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'principal' with 'principle', which means a basic rule or belief.
Meaning
Head of a school
Collocations
school principal
|high school principal
|assistant principal
|principal's office
Synonyms
headteacher (More common in British English for the same role.)
|
school head (A neutral term for the same position.)
Antonyms
teacher (A teacher works under the principal, not in charge of the whole school.)
Themes
education
|management
Definition
The main leader of a school.
The person in charge of managing a school, especially in primary or secondary education.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
the principal [reason/cause/goal]
Her principal reason for moving was to be closer to family.
A költözésének fő oka az volt, hogy közelebb legyen a családjához.
The principal aim of the project is to improve water quality.
A projekt fő célja a vízminőség javítása.
Cost is the principal concern for most buyers.
Security is our principal priority.
Learner examples
The principal reason is money.
A fő ok a pénz.
The principal aim is to help people.
A fő cél az, hogy segítsünk az embereknek.
Food is the principal need for life.
My principal goal is to learn English.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'principle' instead of 'principal' when meaning 'main'.
Meaning
Most important or main
Collocations
principal reason
|principal cause
|principal aim
|principal role
Synonyms
main (Very common and simple alternative.)
|
primary (Slightly more formal but common.)
Antonyms
minor (Describes something of lesser importance.)
Themes
general
|priority
|core_vocabulary
|business
Definition
Most important; main.
Most important; primary in rank, importance, or value.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
3
tőkeösszeg
C1
tőke
B2
Usage pattern:
to repay [the] principal
You should try to pay off the principal quickly to save on interest.
Érdemes minél gyorsabban törlesztened a tőkét, hogy spórolj a kamaton.
The loan has a principal of $10,000 and a 5% interest rate.
A hitel tőkeösszege 10 000 dollár, a kamata pedig 5%.
She invested a principal of $5,000 in the fund.
The principal will be repaid over five years.
Learner examples
I paid back part of the principal.
Visszafizettem a tőkeösszeg egy részét.
The loan's principal is $5000.
A hitel tőkeösszege 5000 dollár.
He invested a principal of $2000.
We must pay the principal and the interest.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'principal' with 'principle' in writing about finance.
Meaning
Original sum of money in finance
Collocations
loan principal
|repay the principal
|principal balance
Synonyms
capital (Common in finance; can also mean wealth in general.)
Antonyms
interest (The additional cost paid for borrowing money.)
Themes
finance
|business
Definition
The main amount of money borrowed or invested, not including extra money like interest.
The original amount of money that is lent, invested, or owed, not including any interest or profit earned.
Grammar
Dictionary form
principal
IPA
GB/pɹˈɪnsəpəl/
US/pɹˈɪnsəpəl/
Syllables & stress
prin - cip - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (prin)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: principal
Noun
- Base: principal
- Plural: principals
Word family
Forms
principals
noun
Related words
principally
adverb B2
principle
noun B1
Advanced or less common
principalship
noun
Expressions
principal dancer
1/pɹˈɪnsəpəl dˈænsɚ/
fixed phrase
Leading ballet performer
The most important dancer in a ballet company.
Examples
- She was promoted to principal dancer after only three years.
- The principal dancer performed the lead role in Swan Lake.
principal investigator
1/pɹˈɪnsəpəl ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
Lead researcher on a project
The main person responsible for a research project, often for a grant.
Examples
- Dr. Lee is the principal investigator for the cancer study.
- The principal investigator submitted the final report to the funding agency.
- Funding will be sent to the university through the principal investigator.
- As principal investigator, she is responsible for how the grant money is used.
- The ethics board asked the principal investigator to clarify the study’s risks.