PRINCIPAL

/ˈpɹɪnsəpəl/ ► audio Scrabble 15 Words With Friends 20

Definition

adjective most important element. — synonyms: chief(a), main(a), primary(a), principal(a), master(a)
noun the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated.
noun the educator who has executive authority for a school. — synonyms: school_principal, head_teacher, head
noun an actor who plays a principal role. — synonyms: star, lead
noun capital as contrasted with the income derived from it. — synonyms: corpus, principal_sum
noun (criminal law) any person involved in a criminal offense, regardless of whether the person profits from such involvement.
noun the major party to a financial transaction at a stock exchange. — synonyms: dealer

“A portion of your mortgage payment goes to reduce the principal, and the rest covers interest.”
“My principal sells metal shims.”
“Smith is the principal architect of this design.”