What does mainly mean?
Mainly is an adverb meaning chiefly or primarily. It identifies the most important, dominant, or substantial part of a situation, subject, or explanation while usually leaving room for other aspects. For example, a statement that a project is mainly intended for researchers implies that it may also serve other groups, without excluding them altogether. Mainly is frequently used with expressions such as “due to,” “because,” and “concerned with.” It is stylistically neutral and appears in everyday conversation as well as in academic, professional, and formal writing. Although it resembles the adverb mostly, it often places stronger emphasis on what is primary rather than simply on what constitutes the greatest numerical portion. Mainly is especially useful when a writer wants to qualify a generalization or identify the central feature of something without making an unnecessarily absolute claim.
adverbFor the most part; chiefly or primarily.
- For the most part; chiefly or primarily.
"The exhibition is mainly concerned with the relationship between art and architecture."
"The delay was mainly caused by heavy traffic."
"This course is aimed mainly at students with no previous experience."
Mainly lets you identify the dominant part of a statement without claiming that it is the whole story.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mainly come from?
Mainly was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to the adjective main. Main came through Old French from Latin manus, meaning “hand,” although the precise development of its modern sense, “chief” or “principal,” is not entirely straightforward. The English form mainly developed as an adverb meaning “for the most part” or “chiefly.” Its formation parallels other English adverbs made by adding -ly to an adjective.
How mainly is actually used
Mainly is neutral in register and common in formal and informal English. It generally presents a dominant feature without making an absolute claim.
Easily confused with mainly
Mainly emphasizes the principal or dominant aspect of something, whereas mostly often means the greatest part of a measurable total.
Mainly means chiefly or primarily, while manly describes qualities traditionally associated with men.