adverb

mainly

Mostly or chiefly.

The store mainly sells fresh produce from nearby family farms.

Etymology

Mainly adds the adverb ending -ly to main, meaning chief or principal. It shifts that idea from rank to proportion: what is mainly true accounts for the greatest part.

More examples

I take the bus mainly to save money.
The audience consists mainly of college students.
We mainly work from home these days.

Forms

main adjective — Most important or central to something.

Similar words

mostly: Emphasizes the largest portion rather than the principal reason.
chiefly: Emphasizes primary importance and often sounds more formal.