adverb

chiefly

chiefly, mainly, primarily

The audience was chiefly young people.

The audience was chiefly young people.

He is known chiefly for his novels.

He is known chiefly for his novels.

((chiefly + noun phrase)) mainly, primarily The audience was chiefly young people.

((be known chiefly for sth.)) to be famous mainly for sth. He is known chiefly for his novels.

Synonyms: mainly, primarily, mostly, principally

From the adjective 'chief' plus the adverb-forming suffix '-ly'. It means 'in a chief manner'.

Remember this is the adverb form of 'chief'. If something is the 'chief' reason, then it is 'chiefly' for that reason.

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