VocabAhead

Principle vs Principal

Principlenoun

a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

Principaladjective

most important element

The difference

A principle is a rule or belief — always a noun. Principal means chief, or the person in charge, or a sum of money.

How to keep them apart

The principal is your pal, and a principle is a rule.

Other pairs worth knowing

All confused pairs · SAT list · GRE list · Full word list