easy
The principal welcomed the new students to school.
What does Principal mean?
Principal means most important, a school leader, or the original amount of money in a loan.
Dictionary definition
Principal can mean most important, a person who leads a school, or the original sum of money in a loan or investment.
Example sentences
Principal in a sentence
easy
Fresh water was the principal reason for choosing the campsite.
medium
Each loan payment reduces the principal as well as paying interest.
hard
The principal violinist played the leading part in the concert.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice principal in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Commonly confused words
Principal or principle?
Compare the meanings, then choose a word for each new sentence.
Principal
A school leader; also, most important.
In a sentence The principal welcomed the new pupils.
Principle
A basic rule, truth, or belief.
In a sentence Fairness is an important principle in our club.
Spot the difference Principal has several meanings, including a school leader and main. Principle means a rule or belief.
Which word fits?
Choose principal or principle for each blank. Say your answer, then check why it fits.
1Our school ___ spoke at the assembly.
Check answer 1
principal — The sentence names the school leader.
2Sharing fairly is a ___ we try to follow.
Check answer 2
principle — The sentence names a guiding belief, not a person.
Make it your ownTry the word in a sentence about your day.
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Practice the meaning of Principal
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
Which meaning can principal have?
In finance, principal is the original amount borrowed or invested, separate from interest.
Practice 2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: “Safety was our ___ concern.”
The adjective principal means main or most important.
Practice 3
Which sentence uses principal correctly?
Here principal is the noun for the person who leads the school.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
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Principal
Voice settings
Sounds like
prin · suh · puhl · strongest beat: prin
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordPrincipal.
Partadjective, noun.
MeaningPrincipal means most important, a school leader, or the original amount of money in a loan.
ExampleExample: The principal welcomed the new students to school.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- prin · suh · puhl
- Strongest beat
- prin
- Ending
- puhl
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on prin.
Your turn
Say Principal
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Synonyms
Words like Principal
Antonyms
Opposite words
secondaryUse as a contrast when principal means first or most important.
minorUse as a contrast when principal means major or most important.
Synonym practice
Want to practice principal synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The principal reason for staying inside was the heavy rain," then compare close word choices. Practice principal synonyms.
Word family
Principal word family
Base word
principal
noun
principals
More than one school leader or other principal.
adverb
principally
Mainly or for the most part.
noun
principalship
The position or time of serving as a school principal.
Related words
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Student support
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Hint for students
Principal contains pal. It can name a school leader, but it also means main and can name original loan money.
Common mix-up
Principal and principle sound alike. Principal can mean a school leader, most important, or original loan money; principle means a basic rule, truth, or belief.
Try it in class or at home
Sort examples into three principal meanings: school leader, most important, and original money. Then rewrite each principal example with a sense-matched phrase such as headteacher, main, or original loan amount.
Teacher prompt
Compare “the principal reason” with “a guiding principle.” Which word can be an adjective, and which word is always a noun?
Word Wheel
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Learning activities
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