Principal: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Principal adjective. Main or most important.
How to say it
PRIN-sih-pul/ˈprɪnsɪp(ə)l/
3 syllables, stressed on the first (PRIN).
Meanings
- Main or most important.
- As a noun, the head of a school or college, or a sum of money lent or invested.
Principal in a sentence
The principal reason for the delay was the weather.
The loan's principal is repaid over twenty years, with interest on top.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- main
- chief
- leading
- primary
Opposite:
- minor
- secondary
Usage note
Principal means main, or the person in charge (the principal is your pal). Principle is always a noun meaning a rule or belief.
Don’t confuse with principle
principle (noun): A basic truth, rule or belief that guides how someone acts or how something works.
Where principal comes from
From Latin principalis, first or chief.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The loan's _____ is repaid over twenty years, with interest on top.
- credulous
- averse
- principal
Show the answer
principal: The loan's principal is repaid over twenty years, with interest on top.