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0 English - Dictionary monolingual

Principal

ˈprɪnsəpəl
Very common
~ 2400
~ 2400, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Person with the highest authority or rank in an organization, institution, or school, Sum of money that is borrowed or invested, excluding interest or returns, Most important, main, or primary

Principal - Meanings

Person with the highest authority or rank in an organization, institution, or school

Example: The principal of the school announced a new policy for student safety.
Usage: formalContext: educational or organizational settings
Note: The principal is usually the head administrator or leader of the institution.

Sum of money that is borrowed or invested, excluding interest or returns

Example: He paid back the principal amount of the loan but still owed interest.
Usage: formalContext: financial and legal contexts
Note: The principal amount is the original amount of money borrowed or invested.

Most important, main, or primary

Example: The principal reason for her success was hard work and dedication.
Usage: formalContext: general usage
Note: This meaning emphasizes the significance or primary importance of something.

Principal's synonyms

chief

Chief refers to the person with the highest rank or authority in an organization or group.
Example: The chief of the company made an important announcement.
Note: Chief is often used in a more informal context compared to principal.

head

Head is used to refer to the leader or person in charge of a group or organization.
Example: She is the head of the department and oversees all operations.
Note: Head can also refer to the top or front part of something, whereas principal specifically denotes a person in authority.

director

Director is someone who supervises or controls an organization or activity.
Example: The director of the school announced the new policy.
Note: Director is commonly used in the context of managing or overseeing specific departments or functions within an organization, while principal has a broader connotation of overall leadership.

leader

Leader is a person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country.
Example: He is a strong leader who inspires his team to achieve their goals.
Note: Leader can refer to anyone who guides or directs others, while principal specifically denotes a person in a position of authority.

Principal expressions, common phrases

Principal

Refers to the head or leader of an organization, usually a school.
Example: The principal of the school announced a new policy.
Note: This is the original word from which the idiomatic expressions are derived.

Principal amount

Refers to the original amount of money borrowed or invested, excluding interest.
Example: The loan was for $10,000, but the principal amount remaining is now $5,000.
Note: This phrase specifically denotes the original amount in financial contexts.

Principal role

Refers to the main or most important role in a performance or activity.
Example: She had the principal role in the play, playing the lead character.
Note: In this context, 'principal' emphasizes the primary or leading role.

Principal residence

Refers to the main home where a person or family lives.
Example: The house they live in is their principal residence.
Note: This phrase specifies the primary dwelling place of an individual or family.

Principal concern

Refers to the main or primary worry or issue that someone has.
Example: His principal concern is the well-being of his family.
Note: In this case, 'principal' highlights the main focus or priority of concern.

Principal city

Refers to the most important or largest city in a particular region.
Example: New York City is the principal city in the state of New York.
Note: This phrase denotes the primary or key city within a specific area.

Principal investigator

Refers to the lead researcher or scientist in charge of a particular project or study.
Example: The principal investigator of the study presented the research findings.
Note: In academic or research contexts, 'principal' designates the primary investigator.

Principal export

Refers to the main or primary product that a country exports.
Example: Oil is the principal export of the country.
Note: This term specifies the primary or leading product being exported by a nation.

Principal everyday (slang) expressions

Head honcho

Refers to someone in charge or the leader of a group or organization.
Example: The head honcho at the company made the final decision.
Note: Casual and less formal than 'principal'.

Top dog

Refers to the highest-ranking person or authority figure.
Example: The top dog in the department decides on major projects.
Note: Informal and colloquial compared to 'principal'.

Big cheese

Refers to someone important or influential, often in a leadership position.
Example: The big cheese in the office is hosting the meeting.
Note: Conveys a sense of authority but in a more light-hearted way.

Main man

Refers to a close or trusted male friend, or sometimes a leader or key person.
Example: My main man always comes through in tough situations.
Note: Carries a tone of personal connection or admiration rather than formal authority.

Bigwig

Refers to an important or influential person, especially in a professional context.
Example: The bigwig from headquarters will be visiting our office next week.
Note: Conveys importance or status but in a more playful or slightly mocking way.

Top banana

Refers to the most important or influential person in a group or organization.
Example: The top banana in the organization is stepping down next month.
Note: Colloquial and whimsical compared to 'principal'.

Principal - Examples

The principal reason for his success is his hard work.
The principal of the school is very strict.
The principal character in the movie is played by a famous actor.

Principal grammar

Principal - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)
Lemma: principal
Conjugations
Adjective (Adjective): principal
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): principals
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): principal
Syllables, Separation and Stress
principal Contains 3 syllables: prin • ci • pal
Phonetic transcription: ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəl
prin ci pal , ˈprin(t) s(ə )pəl (The red syllable is stressed)

Principal - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
principal: ~ 2400 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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