Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Mainly /mān'-lē/ · Main·ly · IPA /ˈmeɪnli/ adv. adv. 01 adv. Very strongly; mightily; to a great degree. 1. Very strongly; mightily; to a great degree.[Obs.] 02 adv. Principally; chiefly. 1. Principally; chiefly.