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- 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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| related words: |
basic, central, essential, fundamental, important, major, prevailing, real, superior, supreme |
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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
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| 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
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| 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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| related words: |
loan |
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| derivation: |
principalship (n.) |
Principal and principle sound alike but have different meanings.
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