Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [in stressed th ee meyn]
- /ɪn stressed ði meɪn/
- /ɪn ðə meɪn/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
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- [in stressed th ee meyn]
- /ɪn stressed ði meɪn/
Definitions of in the main words
- adjective in the main chief in size, extent, or importance; principal; leading: the company's main office; the main features of a plan. 1
- adjective in the main sheer; utmost, as strength or force: to lift a stone by main force. 1
- adjective in the main of or relating to a broad expanse: main sea. 1
- adjective in the main Grammar. syntactically independent; capable of use in isolation. Compare dependent (def 4), independent (def 14), main clause. 1
- adjective in the main Nautical. of or relating to a mainmast. noting or pertaining to a sail, yard, boom, etc., or to any rigging belonging to a mainmast. noting any stay running aft and upward to the head of a mainmast: main topmast stay. 1
- adjective in the main Obsolete. having or exerting great strength or force; mighty. having momentous or important results; significant. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of in the main
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; (noun) Middle English meyn, mayn strength, power, Old English mægen, cognate with Old Norse megin(n), megn strength; (adj.) Middle English mayn, partly < Old Norse megenn, megn strong, partly independent use of Old English mægen (noun) taken as an adj. in compounds, as in mægen-weorc, literally, work of might
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for In the main
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
in the main popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
in the main usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for in the main
adv in the main
- mostly — for the most part; in the main: The work is mostly done.
- largely — to a great extent; in great part; generally; chiefly: The plan depends largely on his willingness to cooperate. That is largely incorrect.
- principally — chiefly; mainly.
- mainly — chiefly; principally; for the most part; in the main; to the greatest extent: Our success was due mainly to your efforts. The audience consisted mainly of students.
- primarily — essentially; mostly; chiefly; principally: They live primarily from farming.
Antonyms for in the main
adv in the main
- important — of much or great significance or consequence: an important event in world history.
- secondarily — next after the first in order, place, time, etc.
- trivially — of very little importance or value; insignificant: Don't bother me with trivial matters.
- slightly — small in amount, degree, etc.: a slight increase; a slight odor.
- insignificant — unimportant, trifling, or petty: Omit the insignificant details.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with i
- Words starting with in
- Words starting with int
- Words starting with inth
- Words starting with inthe
- Words starting with inthem
- Words starting with inthema
- Words starting with inthemai
- Words starting with inthemain