chiefly Meaning & Definition
What Does Chiefly Mean?
Chiefly is an adverb that means Especially or primarily; above all. It is also used to mean Mainly or principally; almost entirely. As an adjective, it means Of or relating to a chief.
Chiefly: Key Facts
| Part of speech | adverb, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈtʃiːf.li// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | primarily, principally and mainly |
| Comparative / superlative | more chiefly, most chiefly |
Chiefly Definition (Adverb)
- Especially or primarily; above all.
Their relationship is chiefly professional.
- Mainly or principally; almost entirely.
Chiefly as an Adjective
- Of or relating to a chief.
Adverb
- (focus) Especially or primarily; above all.
- (focus) Mainly or principally; almost entirely.
Synonyms of Chiefly
Antonyms of Chiefly
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Chiefly in a Sentence
Their relationship is chiefly professional.
This is a term chiefly used by online gamers.
Word Forms & Grammar
chiefly (comparative more chiefly, superlative most chiefly)
chiefly (comparative chieflier, superlative chiefliest)
Words That Rhyme With Chiefly
Origin of Chiefly
Origin 1: From Middle English chefly; equivalent to chief + -ly (adverbial suffix).
Origin 2: From chief + -ly (adjectival suffix). Piecewise doublet of chefly and headly.
Pronouncing Chiefly
The standard pronunciation of chiefly is //ˈtʃiːf.li//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Chiefly: Your Questions Answered
Is chiefly an adverb or an adjective?
Chiefly is mainly used as an adverb, but it can also be used as an adjective.
What is another word for chiefly?
You can replace chiefly with words such as primarily, principally and mainly. See the full list of chiefly synonyms and antonyms.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of chiefly?
The comparative form is more chiefly and the superlative form is most chiefly.