principal, principle

principal, principle
These often-confused words have clearly defined and distinguishable meanings. As a noun, principal means "a sum of money" and "a chief person," "the head man." As an adjective, principal means "main" or "foremost." "The principal invested in that scheme amounted to $1,000." "The principal of this school is a woman of remarkable vigor." "His principal aim is to get well." Principle, a noun only, means "a governing rule or truth," "a doctrine," "a determined course of action": "The manager is a man of sound ethical principle." "That statement expresses a principle of modern physics." "As a matter of principle, he refused to borrow money from anyone." "The principal of that academy is a person of principle."

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • principal - principle — ◊ principal Principal is used as an adjective or a noun. The principal thing or person in a group is the most important one. His principal interest in life was to be the richest man in Britain. ...the principal character in James Bernard Fagan s… …   Useful english dictionary

  • principal, principle —    Principle means fundamental and is usually applied to fundamental beliefs or truths ( It s not the money, its the principle ) or to fundamental understandings ( They have signed an agreement in principle ). It is always a noun. Principal can… …   Dictionary of troublesome word

  • principal, principle —    Principle means fundamental and is usually applied to fundamental beliefs or truths ( It s not the money, its the principle ) or to fundamental understandings ( They have signed an agreement in principle ). It is always a noun. Principal can… …   Dictionary of troublesome word

  • principal / principle —    A principal is the head of a professional business or school: The principal of the middle school is a woman of principles.    A principle is a belief: I avoid school principals as a matter of principle …   Confused words

  • principal / principle —    A principal is the head of a professional business or school: The principal of the middle school is a woman of principles.    A principle is a belief: I avoid school principals as a matter of principle …   Confused words

  • principle — principal, principle The spellings are occasionally confused even by the wariest users of English, the usual mistake being to use principle for the adjective principal. Principal is an adjective and noun and essentially means ‘chief’ (my… …   Modern English usage

  • principal — principal, principle The spellings are occasionally confused even by the wariest users of English, the usual mistake being to use principle for the adjective principal. Principal is an adjective and noun and essentially means ‘chief’ (my… …   Modern English usage

  • principal — 1. adjective the principal cause of poor air quality Syn: main, chief, primary, leading, foremost, first, first line, most important, predominant, dominant, (most) prominent; key, crucial, vital, essential, basic, prime, central …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • principle — See principal, principle …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • principal — See principal, principle …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

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