chiefly

1 of 2

adverb

chief·​ly ˈchē-flē 

1

: most importantly : principally, especially

2

: for the most part : mostly, mainly

chiefly

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to a chief

chiefly duties

Synonyms

Adverb

• altogether
• basically
• by and large
• generally
• largely
• mainly
• mostly
• overall
• predominantly
• primarily
• principally
• substantially

Examples of chiefly in a Sentence

Adverb

our video collection consists chiefly of comedies, but we have a few horror movies

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

What's next: The startup expects to manufacture 12,000 cells next year, chiefly for defense and aerospace clients, plus industrial tools makers and drone companies. —Alan Neuhauser, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024

Housing production results from a complex mix of private and public factors, including material and labor costs, and land-use regulations that are chiefly governed at the local and state levels. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Zoom in: The fund will back eight to 12 companies, writing first checks of $10 million to $20 million for chiefly Series B investments, Werner says. —Alan Neuhauser, Axios, 17 July 2024

Staff vacancies are chiefly to blame for the declining number of inspections, officials for the labor department say. —Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1870, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chiefly

adverb

chief·​ly

ˈchē-flē

1

: above all

2

: for the most part