chiefly
/ˈtʃiːfli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃiːfli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈchē-flē/ (ame, mw)
chiefly — adverb
1. used to say that something is more important than the rest, or makes up the larg
used to say that something is more important than the rest, or makes up the larger part of a whole
The museum is chiefly known for its large collection of stone tools.
be chiefly known for [feature]
Liam visits the library chiefly to study before his evening shift.
chiefly to + verb
The soup is made chiefly from tomatoes, beans, and fresh herbs.
Our questions were chiefly about bus fares and the train schedule.
Aoi works chiefly with older patients at the small town clinic.
- mainly
the most neutral everyday choice
- primarily
often stresses importance or purpose more clearly
- mostly
more often focuses on quantity or proportion
- predominantly
more formal and suggests stronger dominance
文法句型
be chiefly known for + noun
verb + chiefly + prepositional phrase
be made chiefly from + noun
用法筆記
Common in both speech and writing. It often points to the main reason, topic, group, or material, and usually sits before the phrase it emphasizes.
常見錯誤
chiefly — adjective
- chieflypositive
- chiefliercomparative
- chiefliestsuperlative
1. connected with a chief or with the position that a chief holds
connected with a chief or with the position that a chief holds
The chiefly duties included settling disputes and welcoming visiting elders.
chiefly + noun in historical writing
The carved staff was a chiefly symbol in the island community.
a chiefly symbol
Only chiefly families could enter the inner courtyard during the ceremony.
Their marriage linked two chiefly houses on the coast.
- chieftainly
rare and literary; very close in meaning
- tribal
broader; relates to a tribe in general, not specifically its chief
文法句型
chiefly + noun
用法筆記
This sense is rare and appears mostly in historical or anthropological writing. It is used before a noun to describe status, property, or customs connected with a chief.