largely

Everyday

Largely means mostly or mainly, to a great extent but not completely. tree →

In the lessons

In science and geography texts, «largely» shows that something is mostly true: «the desert is largely sand», «the problem was largely caused by». In reading lessons, it helps pupils see the difference between «all» and «most». In maths, «largely» can describe most of a group but not an exact number. Phrases: largely because, largely due to, largely made of, largely ignored.

Examples

• The island is largely covered with forest. tree →
• Our class is largely made up of children who walk to school. tree →
• The match was cancelled, largely because of the rain. tree →
• Whales eat largely krill and small fish. tree →
• The old castle is now largely ruined. tree →
• His success was largely due to hard work. tree →
• The improvement is not due to the dress alone, but largely to the beautifying effects of the bath. tree →

Note

Adverb, from «large» + -ly, but it does not mean «in a large way» about size; it means «mostly». «Largely» does not give an exact number: «largely» could be any big part, not all.