chiefly

1 of 2

adverb

chief·​ly ˈchē-flē How to pronounce chiefly (audio)
Synonyms of chieflynext
1
: most importantly : principally, especially
2
: for the most part : mostly, mainly

chiefly

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to a chief
chiefly duties

Examples of chiefly in a Sentence

Adverb our video collection consists chiefly of comedies, but we have a few horror movies
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adverb
Indiana's new lower projection is chiefly due to a decrease in Medicaid enrollment by about 10% from January when Braun took office to October of this year. Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 29 Dec. 2025 Markus Maciel, associate professor of toy design at Otis College, told ABC News that the vitality of the toy is chiefly due to blind nature of which Labubu customers receive. Mason Leath, ABC News, 27 Dec. 2025
Adjective
As the number of seniors skyrockets, government obligations for the welfare of the elderly, chiefly pensions and health care, have ballooned. Mark L. Haas, Foreign Affairs, 24 July 2025 Our own arcane and slow processes are chiefly to blame. MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for chiefly

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chiefly was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Chiefly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chiefly. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

chiefly

adverb
chief·​ly
ˈchē-flē
1
: above all
2
: for the most part

More from Merriam-Webster on chiefly

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