Words / C1

PRINS-uh-pl/ˈprɪnsəpl/

Principal as an adjective means main: the principal reason, principal risk. As a noun, the head of a school or college (British). Principle (already in the dictionary) is a moral or scientific rule — the classic spelling trap; both sound /ˈprɪnsəpl/. Do not write principal for a moral rule.

Meaning

Main or most important; as a noun, the head of a school or college.

Examples

• “The principal risk was the unstaffed night shift, not the font.”
• “The principal risk was the unstaffed night shift, not the choice of font.”
• “Principle is a rule (a matter of principle). Principal is main, or the college head. US schools also use principal for the head teacher. Spell-check will not save you: say the meaning aloud.”

Good to know

Main (adj.); school/college head (noun). Mix-up: principle (a rule) — same pronunciation. Everyday: main. Not a moral “principal”.

Near in meaning

main

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