German word

vornehmlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfoːɐ̯neːmlɪç/

Meaning

  • adverbmainly

Example

Ich esse vornehmlich Gemüse.

I mainly eat vegetables.

Illustration for vornehmlich (mainly)

More examples

Die Gäste kommen vornehmlich aus dem Ausland.

The guests come mainly from abroad.

Core concept

A field dominated by one crop, with smaller areas occupied by other plants.

Common phrases

  • vornehmlich aus dem Ausland

    mainly from abroad

  • vornehmlich zur Mittagszeit

    mainly at lunchtime

Similar words

vor allem: With particular emphasis on the most noticeable or prominent point.
hauptsächlich: Referring to the greater part or central aspect of something.
meist: In most cases or on most occasions.
vorwiegend: Applying mainly to a particular tendency or characteristic.

Definition in German

vornehmlich drückt aus, dass etwas in erster Linie oder vorwiegend gilt.

Word origin

The word combines "vornehm", associated with prominence, with the productive suffix "-lich", forming an adverb meaning chiefly or predominantly.

Usage tips

  • "Vornehmlich" usually introduces the main but not exclusive case, so it does not mean "only".

Related words

  • vornehmrefinedadjective
  • Vornehmheitrefinementnoun

Word lists with this word