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principal

prin·ci·pal

principal

 
 
pronunciation:
prIn s pl
parts of speech:
adjective, noun
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, noun), Homophone Note, Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: adjective
definition: first in status, value, or importance; chief; main.
The principal job of the police is to keep the peace.Drought was the principal cause of the food shortage.
synonyms:
chief, foremost, main, paramount, predominant, primary, prime
antonyms:
accessory, subsidiary
similar words:
capital, cardinal, central, dominant, first, head, headmost, lead, leading, major, master, premier, sovereign, staple
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part of speech: noun
definition 1: a head or director, esp. of a school.
The new principal has a tougher discipline policy than the former principal.
 
similar words:
chief, dean, director, head, headmaster, headmistress, master, mistress, provost, superintendent
definition 2: a primary participant in an activity, such as the leading actor or actress in a play, or any of the chief parties in a dispute or a formal agreement.
At the end of the meeting, the principals shook hands to show they had reached an agreement.After the ballet, the principals were interviewed by journalists.
antonyms:
accessory
similar words:
captain, chief, head, headliner, hero, heroine, honcho, lead, leader, participant, protagonist, star, superior, top dog
definition 3: the main part of financial holdings, as distinct from the interest generated by it.
You won't lose your principal if you invest it in a savings account at a bank, but you will not earn much interest from it.
synonyms:
corpus
similar words:
capital, investment, reserve
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derivation: principalship (n.)
Homophone Note
Principal and principle sound alike but have different meanings.
Word Explorer
See
  education, power, school
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