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principal

main, principal

adjective prahn-see-PAL Less Common
Descriptions & Qualities Values

Origin: Latin principalis, from princeps (first, chief)

Also means

primary, chief

Usage Note

principal agrees in gender and number: principale (f), principaux (m pl), principales (f pl). It can also function as a noun meaning 'headmaster/headmistress' in a school context. The adverb principalement means 'mainly'.

Examples

"C'est le problème principal."

Natural Translation

That is the main problem.

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