Principal and principle are near-identical twins in spelling, and mixing them up is one of the most common English writing mistakes. Luckily, there is a simple trick.
Principal usually means the most important one, or the head of a school. It can also mean the original amount of money in a loan.
principal full definition →
A principle is a basic rule, belief, or truth that guides behavior or thinking.
principle full definition →
| principal | principle | |
|---|---|---|
| Part of speech | Usually noun or adjective, meaning "main" | Always a noun |
| Core meaning | Most important, or a school's head | A rule or belief |
| Memory trick | The princiPAL is your PAL | A principLE is a ruLE |
The princiPAL is your PAL, meaning the main person or thing. A principLE is a ruLE you live by.
Save both words to GoVocab and review them until they stick.
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