Principal vs principle
Principal means main, or the head of a school, while principle is a basic rule or belief. The two words sound the same.
Principle and rule both end in le. The school principal is your pal.
principal adjective
Main or most important. As a noun, also the head of a school (especially in American English; British schools usually say head teacher).
- The principal reason for the delay was bad weather.
- The principal called my parents after the fight in the cafeteria.
principle noun
A basic rule, idea, or belief that guides how someone thinks or acts, or a basic law or idea that explains how something works.
- Honesty is the principle she lives by.
- The machine works on a very simple principle.
Watch out
- Principal is also the money you first borrow or invest, before any interest. That money is always spelled principal.The loan's principal was fifty thousand dollars, with interest added each month.
- To do something on principle means to do it because of a moral rule. That phrase uses principle.He resigned on principle rather than approve the layoffs.
- Principal can also mean a lead actor or a top-ranking dancer.The ballet company promoted her to principal at the end of last season.
Test yourself
The blank called a meeting with all the teachers.
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principal. The person in charge of a school is the principal.
Fairness is a blank I try to live by.
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principle. A belief that guides how you act is a principle.
The blank reason for the delay was bad weather.
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principal. It means the main reason, so use principal.
He refused the money as a matter of blank.
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principle. He acted because of a moral rule, which is a principle.
Full entries: principalprinciple