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Definition of chiefly

chiefly

/ˈtʃiːfli/
chief · ly
Adjective:chief
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chiefly Lexical Profile

chiefly Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

Above all; mainly or for the most part.

Example

"The region's economy relies chiefly on sustainable agriculture and seasonal tourism."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for chiefly

• Nearby Words

chide
chief
chiefdom
chiefly
chieftain
chieftess
chiffchaff

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from the adjective 'chief' (borrowed from Old French 'chief', ultimately from Latin 'caput', meaning 'head') combined with the adverbial suffix '-ly'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Chiefly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/chiefly
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