principal

/'prinsəpəl/

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Explanation of the Word "Principal"

The word "principal" can be used both as an adjective and a noun, and it has a few different meanings depending on the context.

Summary:

"Principal" is an important word used to describe the most significant part of something or a key person in specific contexts, such as education and finance.

Academic

Adjective

1. most important element
   • the chief aim of living
   • the main doors were of solid glass
   • the principal rivers of America
   • the principal example
   • policemen were primary targets
   • the master bedroom
   • a master switch

Noun

1. the major party to a financial transaction at a stock exchange; buys and sells for his own account
2. (criminal law) any person involved in a criminal offense, regardless of whether the person profits from such involvement
3. capital as contrasted with the income derived from it
4. an actor who plays a principal role
5. the educator who has executive authority for a school
   • she sent unruly pupils to see the principal
6. the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

Synonyms

• chief
• main
• primary
• principal
• master
• dealer
• corpus
• principal sum
• star
• lead
• school principal
• head teacher
• head