mainly
gb/mˈeɪnli/ us/mˈeɪnli/
A2
English
~ 1400
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
relation
1
chiefly; for the most part
Mostly; more than half; in the largest part.
Usage pattern:
mainly [verb/phrase]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mainly' with 'main', using 'main' incorrectly as an adverb (e.g., 'I main eat rice' instead of 'I mainly eat rice').
Synonyms
mostly (Very close in meaning; slightly more informal in tone.)
|
primarily (Slightly more formal and often used in academic or professional contexts.)
Antonyms
rarely (Opposite in meaning as it refers to something happening infrequently rather than most of the time.)
|
partly (Indicates only a small part, not the majority.)
Collocations
mainly because
|mainly due to
|mainly concerned with
|mainly focused on
|mainly used for
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The meeting was mainly about budget cuts.
- She reads mainly romance novels.
- We chose this location mainly for its convenience.
- The delay was mainly due to bad weather.
- He is mainly interested in environmental issues.
Learner examples
- I eat fruit mainly in the morning.
- This book is mainly for children.
- We go there mainly to see friends.
- It is mainly cold in winter here.
- She talks mainly about her job.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mainly
IPA
GB/mˈeɪnli/
US/mˈeɪnli/
Syllables & stress
mainly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (mainly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: mainly
- Plural: mainlies
Word family
Forms
mainlies
noun
Core family
main
adjective A2
Related words
mainland
noun B1
mainstream
adjective B2
Expressions
mainly because
1/mˈeɪnli bɪkˈʌz/
fixed phrase
mostly due to something
Used to say that something happens for the biggest reason.
Examples
- We stayed indoors mainly because it was raining.
- I chose this job mainly because of the flexible hours.
mainly due to
1/mˈeɪnli dˈu tə/
fixed phrase
mostly caused by something
Used to explain the biggest cause of something.
Examples
- The cancellation was mainly due to lack of interest.
- His success is mainly due to hard work.