principal

Principal is part of the Academic Word List. It is important for students in college and university.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈprɪnsɪpəl/ or /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

Homophones

• principle

Adjective

Positive principal

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. (usually before the noun) The principal thing is the main or most important one.

   Canada's principal trading partner is the USA.

   Presumably most of us work for the same principal reason - in order to live.

Related words

• principally

Noun

Singular principal

Plural principals

1. (countable) In American English, a principal is the head of a school. (=headmaster in British English)
2. (countable) The principal is the most important person in a business, or an artistic group such as a dancers.
3. (uncountable) Principal is the money that you borrow and must pay back. It does not include interest.