Principal vs Principle at a glance
- principal
/ˈprɪnsəpl/ · adjective
Most important; main.
- Tourism is the island's principal source of income.
- Cost was our principal concern.
- principle
/ˈprɪnsəpl/ · noun
A basic rule or belief about what is right.
- She refuses to eat meat on principle.
- The principles of good design are simple.
How to remember it
A principle is a rule: both end in -le. The principal is your pal at school.
Good to know
Principal is also a noun: the head of a school (mainly American English; British English usually says head teacher) or of some colleges.
Common mistakes
Wrong: Honesty is an important principal for me.
Right: Honesty is an important principle for me.
Wrong: The principle reason was money.
Right: The principal reason was money.
Quick quiz
1.In , I agree with you.
2.The actor fell ill before the show.
3.She believes in the of equal pay for everyone.
Pick the right word for each gap.