mainly

adverb

main·​ly ˈmān-lē How to pronounce mainly (audio)
Synonyms of mainlynext
1
obsolete : in a forceful manner
2
: for the most part : chiefly

Synonyms of mainly

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Examples of mainly in a Sentence

you mainly need to focus on improving your golf swing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While the crew was mainly Colombian, the cast, acting coach and its director Nadia Ayala hailed from Mexico. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 7 July 2026 Though the stalls outside the Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo mainly sell fake leather goods and cheap souvenirs, the actual market is worth visiting. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026 Meanwhile, areas mainly west of I-35 and north of the Kansas City metro are under a marginal risk (Level 1 of 5). — Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026 Unlike conventional cruises which travel long distances mainly for leisure and stop only briefly at ports to offload tourists, key Norwegian routes like Bergen-Kirkenes serve multiple functions at once. — Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mainly

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mainly was in the 13th century

Rhymes for mainly

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Browse Nearby Words

mainliner
mainly
main/major road
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Cite this Entry

“Mainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainly. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of mainly for Spanish Speakers

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