Principle vs. Principal: Usage Guide
Evidence of confusion between principle and principal can be found even in publications overseen by professional editors. To keep these words straight, remember that principle functions only as a noun, and in its most common uses refers to a basic rule or law, as in
or
If you are looking for an adjective form of this word, you must use principled, as in
Principal functions as both a noun and an adjective. The noun has various meanings referring to someone with controlling authority
or in a leading position
, but also has meanings relating to finance, law, and architecture. As an adjective, principal typically means "most important," as in
Synonyms
Examples of principal in a Sentence
Garry Wills, New York Review of Books, 12 Feb. 2009
Following the agreement, the four principal tobacco companies—Philip Morris, R. J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson, and Lorillard—raised their prices more than 45 cents per pack. The costs of the settlement, as predicted, were passed on to consumers.
—Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, 2007
Their principal industry was the manufacture, in a long, low, mostly-wooden, two-story factory, of cold cream.
—Frederick Busch, Too Late American Boyhood Blues, 1984
Vegetables are the principal ingredients in this soup.
She is the principal cellist of the orchestra.
Noun
the new high school principal
One of the principals in the assassination plot has been arrested.
Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2024
Felicia Clotworthy was hired as principal in June 2023, said Lynnnette Wright, whose son attends the school.
—Hank Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2024
Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024
The Oram executive team includes Najib Mansour as principal and chairman emeritus, Anthony Mansour as associate counsel, and Marcel Mansour as director of operations.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for principal 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'principal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near principal
Cite this Entry
“Principal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/principal. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
principal
1 of 2 adjective
principal
2 of 2 nounLegal Definition
principal
1 of 2 adjective
principal
2 of 2 noun
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