Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: Latin principalis, from princeps; PRINCE

principal

1 adjective
     
prin‧ci‧pal1 W2 [only before noun]
most important [= main]:
His principal reason for making the journey was to visit his family.
Teaching is her principal source of income.
the principal character in the book
➔ principallyWORD FOCUS: important WORD FOCUS: important
similar words: main, key, chief, principal, leading, vital, crucial, essential, significant
not important: unimportant, trivial, minor, irrelevant, insignificant

➔ See also important
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
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