DictionaryAI

mostly

adverb
SayMOHST-lee/ˈmoʊstli/UK/ˈməʊstli/

2 meanings of mostly

Practice

  1. 1
    mainlyadverb
    For the largest part, or in most cases.

    Like saying "almost all," with room left for a few that are different.

    The students here are mostly teenagers from nearby towns.

    We mostly eat dinner at home during the week.

    UsageTo mean 'the majority of', say most: most students like it (not incorrect: mostly students like it). Mostly means mainly: we mostly eat at home.

    Similarmainly, largely, chiefly, primarily, predominantly

  2. 2
    greatest degreeadverbobsolete
    To the greatest degree, or most of all.
    Note

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Origin

From the word "most" plus the ending "-ly".

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact