Main Meaning and Definition

Main

Main

Pronunciation

/meɪn/

Part of Speech

Noun/Adjective

Definition

A central or most important part, aspect, or element; a principal or primary thing.

Examples

  • The main story of the movie was about redemption.
  • The main course at the restaurant was a delicious steak.

Synonyms

  • Principal
  • Mainstream
  • Primary

Antonyms

  • Secondary
  • Minor
  • Supplementary

Etymology

The word “main” comes from Old English “mægen”, meaning “power”, “strength”, or “might”. Over time, its meaning has evolved to encompass the concepts of importance, primacy, and centrality.

Usage Notes

In general, “main” is used to describe the central or most important aspect of something. It can be used as an adjective or a noun, and it often serves as a synonym for “principal” or “primary”. However, be careful not to confuse it with “mainly”, which means “for the most part” or “generally”.

Cultural References

In popular culture, the term “main” has been used in various contexts. For example, in the TV show “The Big Bang Theory”, the character Sheldon Cooper often refers to himself as the “main” character. In music, the term has been used in song titles like “Main Theme” by Daft Punk.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Common idioms or phrases that include the word “main” include “main event”, “mainstream”, “main course”, and “main goal”.

Related Words or Phrases

Words or phrases closely related to “main” include “primary”, “principal”, “central”, and “primary”.

Collocations

Frequency of Use

The word “main” is a common term in everyday language, with a moderate frequency of use. It is often used in formal and informal contexts alike.

Common Misspellings

Common misspellings of “main” include “mann”, “min”, and “mane”.

Related Words