Principal means main or most important: the principal reason is the main reason. As a noun, it means the head of a school or college; in British schools the head is usually called the head teacher. It doesn't describe a person with firm principles: that person is principled, and to say you won't give way on something, say it's a matter of principle for me.
principal: will you get the meaning right?
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the principal + reason/aim/source; the school principal; a matter of principle (≠ principal)
- The principal reason I changed jobs was the long commute.
- Tourism is the principal source of income for many coastal towns.
- The principal met the parents after the school concert to thank them.
What changed
First versionMy father is a very principal person and never lies.
RevisionMy father is a very principled person and never lies.
Principal can look like the adjective for someone with firm principles, but it means “main” and says nothing about character. A person with firm principles is principled.
Principal and principle are pronounced the same, so they are easy to confuse in writing. Principle is a noun meaning a rule or belief: She refused on principle. Principal describes what is most important: the principal aim of the study.
Your turn
Rising rents are the ___ reason why young families leave the city centre.
Show the answer
principal — Before reason you need a word meaning “main”, which is principal. Principle means a rule or belief, and a “principle reason” makes no sense.
Write about a decision you made this year: moving, a new job, studying. Give the main reason with the words the principal reason and add another, less important one.
I moved to Kazan this year; the principal reason was a job offer, but lower rents also helped.
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