Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
       

prin·ci·ple

principle

 
 
pronunciation:
prIn sih pl
features:
Word Combinations (noun), Note, Homophone Note, Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a basic law or truth on which action or behavior is based.
Our country's laws are based on the principles of liberty and justice.
See a movie for this meaning
 
synonyms:
doctrine
similar words:
assumption, belief, canon, creed, dictate, ideal, law, regulation, rule
definition 2: (plural) a set of personal rules for behavior.
He is a man of high principles.
synonyms:
morality, morals
similar words:
ideals
definition 3: a law or rule that is based on testing and proof.
You can't design an airplane if you don't understand the principles involved in making an airplane fly.
synonyms:
law
similar words:
assumption, basic, basis, canon, fundamental, premise, rule, truth
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
principle or principal?
Principle is a noun that means a basic idea or belief. Principal is an adjective that means main or most important. It is also a noun that refers to the person in charge of a school.
Compare:
  • A principle of democracy is "One person, one vote."
  • His principal responsibility at work is sorting the mail.
  • The principal made an announcement to the students.
Homophone Note
The words principle and principal sound alike but have different meanings.
Word Explorer
See
  action, behavior, moral
Word PartsSubscriber feature About this feature