vornehmlich
primarily
Definition & meaning
The word "vornehmlich" is used as an adverb or adjective meaning "primarily," "chiefly," or "predominantly." It indicates that something occurs or is true in the majority of cases, or that a specific aspect is the most important one among several others.
In a sentence, it often highlights a specific focus or a main reason. For example, if a restaurant serves "vornehmlich" regional dishes, it means that while there might be other types of food, the main focus is on local cuisine.
Grammar & Word origin
"Vornehmlich" functions primarily as an adverb. It is derived from the German adjective vornehm, which means "noble," "distinguished," or "elegant."
The word is composed of the prefix "vor-" (meaning before or in front) and the root related to "nehmen" (to take), originally implying something that is "taken first" or stands out due to its quality. Over time, the meaning shifted from a qualitative description (noble/distinguished) to a quantitative or focal one (primarily/mostly).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms: hauptsächlich, vorwiegend, primär, insbesondere, besonders, zumeist.
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Examples
Er interessiert sich vornehmlich für klassische Musik.adverb
He is primarily interested in classical music.
Vornehmlich qualitätsbewusste Kunden bevorzugen dieses Produkt.adverb
Primarily quality-conscious customers prefer this product.
Vornehmlich in der Literatur finden wir Beispiele dieser Sprachform.adverb
Primarily in literature, we find examples of this form of language.
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