main: meaning, pronunciation and examples

/meɪn/·MAYN

Main (adjective) means largest or most important.

What does “main” mean?

  1. 1

    adjectivelargest or most important

    The main reason I came was to see you.

Main at a glance

Part of speech
adjective
CEFR level
A2 (elementary)
Pronunciation
/meɪn/ · MAYN

How to use “main” correctly

“Main” always goes before a noun: “the main problem”, not “the problem is main”.

Common phrases with “main”

  • main reason
  • main course
  • main road
  • main idea

Synonyms (similar meaning)

  • chief
  • primary
  • principal

Antonyms (opposite meaning)

  • minor
  • secondary

Word family

  • mainly

“main” is on these word lists

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