# mainly

> English word · Adverb · IPA /ˈmeɪnli/ · frequency rank #2,490

## Definitions
1. Chiefly; for the most part.
2. Forcefully, vigorously.
3. Of the production of a sound: loudly, powerfully.
4. To a great degree; very much.

## Etymology
From Middle English maynly; equivalent to main + -ly.

## Easily confused with
- **many** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mainly-vs-many)
- **manly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mainly-vs-manly)
- **manny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mainly-vs-manny)
- **mains** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mainly-vs-mains)
- **Mandy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mainly-vs-mandy)
- **Mindy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mainly-vs-mindy)
- **Milly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mainly-vs-milly)
- **Mainz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mainly-vs-mainz)
- **minty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mainly-vs-minty)
- **Manley** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mainly-vs-manley)
- **main** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/main-vs-mainly)
- **mail** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mail-vs-mainly)
- **Maine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maine-vs-mainly)
- **mails** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mails-vs-mainly)
- **madly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/madly-vs-mainly)

## Common misspellings (9)
`aminly`, `mailny`, `mainlly`, `mainlyy`, `mainnly`, `mainyl`, `manily`, `mianly`, `mmainly`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/mainly