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chiefly

2 syllables
adverbadjective
Quick answer

As an adverb, chiefly means especially or primarily. As an adjective, it means of or relating to a chief.

Meanings of chiefly

4 meanings

adverb

  1. focusEspecially or primarily; above all.

    “Their relationship is chiefly professional.”

    “This is a term chiefly used by online gamers.”

  2. focusMainly or principally; almost entirely.

  3. For the most part

    “he is mainly interested in butterflies”

    Similar: principally, primarily, mainly, in the main

adjective

  1. Of or relating to a chief

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

Synonyms by meaning

adverb: for the most part
principallyprimarilymainlyin the main

Words that rhyme with chiefly

briefly

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Nearby words

chicochicorychidechidingchiefchief executivechieftainchieftaincychiffonchiffonierchiggerchild