1 main
Pronounced:
/ˈmeɪn/
Function:
adjective always used before a nounMeaning:
: most important : chief, principal ▪ the main idea/point ▪ the main goal/purpose ▪ Speed is the main advantage of this approach. ▪ The company's main office is located in New York. ▪ the novel's main character ▪ driving down the main road/highway ▪ the main gate/entrance ▪ This dish can be served as a main course or appetizer. ▪ And now for the main event of the evening!
—main·ly adverb ▪ The reviews have been mainly [=mostly] positive. ▪ a plant found mainly [=chiefly] in coastal regions ▪ I don't like the plan, mainly because I think it's too expensive. ▪ The problems have been mainly minor ones. [=most of the problems have been minor ones] ▪ They depend mainly on/upon fish for food.