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Essentially vs Mainly - What's the difference?

essentially | mainly |

As adverbs the difference between essentially and mainly

is that essentially is in an essential manner; in essence while mainly is forcefully, vigorously.

essentially

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • In an essential manner; in essence.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-03
    • , author=(Henry Petroski) , title=Opening Doors , volume=100, issue=2, page=112-3 , magazine= citation , passage=A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place. Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial line defining the lever.}}

    Synonyms

    * actually, at bottom, at heart, basically, centrally, characteristically, factually, fundamentally, in essence, in the main, inherently, intrinsically, naturally, substantially

    mainly

    English

    Adverb

    (-)
  • (label) Forcefully, vigorously.
  • * , III.i:
    • Mainly they all attonce vpon him laid, / And sore beset on euery side around.
  • (label) Of the production of a sound: loudly, powerfully.
  • *, II.31:
    • But in the end, mainly crying out, he fell to raling and wringing his master, upbraiding him that he was not a true Philosopher.
  • (label) To a great degree; very much.
  • Chiefly; for the most part.
  • *, chapter=12
    • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=She had Lord James' collar in one big fist and she pounded the table with the other and talked a blue streak. Nobody could make out plain what she said, for she was mainly jabbering Swede lingo, but there was English enough, of a kind, to give us some idee.}}

    Anagrams

    * English focus adverbs