principle

CEFRB1

/ˈpɹɪn.sɪ.pəl/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A basic rule or belief that guides behavior or decisions.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A rule used to choose among solutions to a problem.

Examples

  • What is the principle reason for going to school?

  • That doesn't accord with my principle.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
2

Also pronounced

  • [ˈpɹɪn.sɪ.pɫ̩]

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. Moral rule or aspect.

  2. A fundamental assumption or guiding belief.

  3. A fundamental assumption, fundamental law or guiding belief.

More examples

In context

  • The principle of least privilege holds that a process should only receive the permissions it needs.

  • We need some sort of principles to reason from.

  • I don't doubt your principles.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The moral blank of treating others with respect guides his every action.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English principle, from Old French principe, from Latin prīncipium (“beginning, foundation”), from prīnceps (“first”). By surface analysis, prīmus (“first”) + -ceps (“catcher”); the former ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *preh₂- (“before”); see also prince.