principal
adjective /ˈprɪnsəpl/
/ˈprɪnsəpl/
[only before noun]- most important; main
最重要的;主要的 - The principal reason for this omission is lack of time.
跳过它的主要原因是时间不足。 - New roads will link the principal cities of the area.
新建道路将连通这个地区的主要城市。 - Tourist revenue is now our principal source of wealth.
旅游收入目前是我们的主要财源。 - My principal concern is to get the job done fast.
我最关心的是把工作快点做完。 - The violins have the principal tune.
小提琴有主调。
Homophones principal | principleprincipal principle/ˈprɪnsəpl//ˈprɪnsəpl/- principal adjective
- They were joined on stage by their principal conductor.
他们的首席指挥和他们一起上台。
- They were joined on stage by their principal conductor.
- principal noun
- The college is excited to announce the appointment of a new principal.
学院兴奋地宣布新校长的任命。
- The college is excited to announce the appointment of a new principal.
- principle noun
- Many green activists oppose GM crops on principle.
许多绿色活动家原则上反对转基因作物。
- Many green activists oppose GM crops on principle.
Synonyms mainmain- major
- key
- central
- principal
- chief
- prime
- main [only before noun] largest or most important:
- Be careful crossing the main road.
过大马路时小心点。 - The main thing is to remain calm.
最重要的是要保持冷静。
- Be careful crossing the main road.
- major [usually before noun] very large or important:
- He played a major role in setting up the system.
他在建立这个系统的过程中起了主要的作用。
- He played a major role in setting up the system.
- key [usually before noun] most important; essential:
- He was a key figure in the campaign.
他是这场运动的关键人物。
- He was a key figure in the campaign.
- central (rather formal) most important:
指最重要的、首要的、主要的: - The central issue is that of widespread racism.
最重要的问题是种族主义到处泛滥。
- The central issue is that of widespread racism.
- principal [only before noun] (rather formal) most important:
指最重要的、首要的、主要的: - The principal reason for this omission is lack of time.
跳过它的主要原因是时间不足。
- The principal reason for this omission is lack of time.
- chief [only before noun] (rather formal) most important:
指最重要的、首要的、主要的: - Unemployment was the chief cause of poverty.
失业是贫穷的主要原因。
- Unemployment was the chief cause of poverty.
- prime [only before noun] (rather formal) most important; to be considered first:
- My prime concern is to protect my property.
我最关心的是保护自己的财产。
- My prime concern is to protect my property.
- a/the main/major/key/central/principal/chief/prime aim/concern
- a/the main/major/principal road/town/city
- the main/key thing is to…
- to be of major/key/central/prime importance
词源Middle English: via Old French from Latin principalis ‘first, original’, from princeps, princip- ‘first, chief’. - The principal reason for this omission is lack of time.