Synonyms of 'principal'

adjective

mainDictionary, leading, chiefTheir principal concern is that of winning the next election.

main

My main concern now is to protect the children.

leading

Britain's future as a leading industrial nation depends on investment.

chief

Financial stress is acknowledged as a chief reason for divorce.

prime

Political stability is a prime concern.

first

The first priority for development is to defeat inflation.

highest

controlling

strongest

capital

key

essential

Two essential elements must be proven: motive and opportunity.

primary

His primary aim in life is to be happy.

most important

dominant

She was a dominant figure in the film industry.

arch

cardinal

As a salesman, your cardinal rule is to do everything you can to satisfy the customer.

paramount

The welfare of the children must be of paramount importance.

foremost

He was one of the world's foremost scholars.

pre-eminent

He is the pre-eminent political figure in the country.

Opposites

noun

1 headmaster or headmistress, head (informal), directorthe principal of the local high school

headmaster or headmistress

head (informal)

full of admiration for the head and teachers

director

dean

dean of the faculty

head teacher

One of the photos must be signed by your head teacher.

rector

master or mistress

2 bossDictionary, head, leaderthe principal of the company

boss

He cannot stand his boss.

head

heads of government from more than 100 countries

leader

the leader of the Conservative Party

director

He is the director of the unit.

chief (informal)

The new leader is the deputy chief of the territory's defence force.

master

My master ordered me to deliver the message.

ruler

superintendent

He became superintendent of the bank's East African branches.

baas (South Africa)

The word 'baas' is now regarded as an expression of servility.

sherang (Australian, New Zealand)

I am in touch with the head sherang at both sites

3 starDictionary, lead, leadersoloists and principals of The Scottish Ballet orchestra

star

Not all football stars are ill-behaved louts.

lead

Two dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet dance the leads.

leader

prima ballerina

first violin

leading man or lady

coryphée

4 capitalDictionary, money, assetsUse the higher premiums to pay the interest and principal on the debt.

capital

The company is having difficulties in raising capital.

money

A lot of money that you pay goes back to the distributor.

assets

working capital

capital funds

see principle

Additional synonyms

baas (South Africa)

a South African word for a boss: often used by Black or Coloured people addressing a White manager or overseer

The word 'baas' is now regarded as an expression of servility.

bo (informal)

overlord

cardinal

A cardinal rule or quality is the one that is considered to be the most important.

As a salesman, your cardinal rule is to do everything you can to satisfy the customer.

principal

first

highest

greatest

chief

The chief cause, part, or member of something is the most important one.

Financial stress is acknowledged as a chief reason for divorce.

The job went to one of his chief rivals.

highest

most important

big-time (informal)

major league (informal)

Video: pronunciation of 'principal'

Nearby words of 'principal'

prince
princely
princess
principal
principally
principle
principled
All ENGLISH synonyms that begin with 'P'

Source

Thesaurus for principal from the Collins English Thesaurus

1 2 3 4

Dictionary definition

Principal means first in order of importance.

The indefinite article

The indefinite article is a or an. The form an is used before a word that starts with a vowel sound. a girl a cat an eight-year-old girl an engineer The indefinite article is used with si...

Scrabble score for 'principal': 15

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