Principal
ˈprɪnsəpəl
Definitions
3 meaningsThe person in charge of a school.
ˈprɪnsəpəl
The person with the highest authority in a school.
The principal announced the winner of the science fair.
💡 Simply: Imagine your school is a company! The principal is like the CEO – the big boss of the whole place. They make sure everything runs smoothly, just like a grown-up in charge.
👶 For kids: The principal is the boss of the school!
More Examples
Students were called to the principal's office for various reasons.
The principal is responsible for the safety and well-being of the students.
How It's Used
"The principal addressed the students during the school assembly."
The original sum of money lent or invested, separate from the interest.
ˈprɪnsəpəl
A capital sum invested or lent, on which interest is paid.
The loan's principal was $10,000.
💡 Simply: Imagine you borrow $100 from a friend. That $100 is the 'principal' - the original amount. When you pay them back, you might also pay 'interest,' which is extra money for letting you borrow the principal.
👶 For kids: The principal is the starting money you put in the bank, not the extra money you get from it!
More Examples
The investor wanted to protect their principal.
She paid off the principal of her mortgage ahead of schedule.
How It's Used
"The bank returned the principal plus interest."
Most important; main.
ˈprɪnsəpəl
First in importance; chief.
The principal aim of the project was to increase sales.
💡 Simply: Think of a really important problem you need to solve. The 'principal' problem is the most important one. It's the main thing you need to focus on.
👶 For kids: The principal thing means the most important thing!
More Examples
The principal ingredients of the cake were flour, sugar, and eggs.
Her principal concern was the safety of her children.
How It's Used
"The principal reason for the meeting was to discuss the budget."
Synonyms
Director
Headmaster
Capital
Corpus
Chief
Foremost
Leading
Main
Paramount
Primary
Idioms & expressions
principal and interest
The original amount borrowed or invested plus the amount earned on it.
"The monthly mortgage payment includes both principal and interest."
From Old French *principal* or directly from Latin *principalis* (“first, chief, original, principal”), from *princeps* (“chief, leader, first man”), from *primus* (“first”) + *capere* (“to take”).
Historically, the word 'principal' has been used in similar ways to today, referring to a chief person, a sum of money, or something of primary importance. Its use in education became especially prominent during the development of formal school systems.
Memory tip
Think of the 'chief' person at school: the PRINCIPAL.