largely

largely — adverb

1. to a great degree; used to say that something is mostly true or mostly happens,

1.adverbB2
Definition

to a great degree; used to say that something is mostly true or mostly happens, though not completely or in every case

Example

The success of the project was largely due to Lien's careful planning.

collocation: largely due to + noun for primary cause

Minho's decision to study abroad was largely influenced by his love of Japanese culture.

largely + past participle (influenced) showing a passive cause

Common collocations
  • largely due to
  • largely unchanged
  • largely complete
  • largely responsible for
  • largely based on
  • largely depends on
  • largely ignored
  • largely forgotten
Synonyms
  • mostly

    more common in everyday speech; interchangeable in most contexts

  • mainly

    focuses on the primary element rather than the extent of coverage

  • chiefly

    more formal; often used in written or academic contexts

  • primarily

    formal; emphasizes the main cause or purpose

Antonyms
  • slightly

    opposite in degree — 'largely' suggests a high degree, 'slightly' a low one

  • barely

    opposite in extent — 'largely complete' vs 'barely complete'

Grammar Patterns

largely + adjective/past participle

largely due to + noun

Usage Note

Cannot be used before comparative adjectives or adverbs. Use 'far', 'much', or 'a lot' instead (e.g., 'far better', not 'largely better'). Also avoid combining with 'very' — 'very largely' is considered redundant.

Common Mistakes

This new model is largely better than the old one.
This new model is far better than the old one.
'largely' does not intensify comparatives; use 'far', 'much', or 'a lot' instead.
The work is largely done by the team.' (ambiguous)
The work is almost completely done by the team.
When you mean 'mostly' but the context could also suggest 'on a big scale', use a clearer adverb like 'almost completely' or 'mostly'.

2. in a way that involves great size, amount, or importance; done or organized on a

2.adverbC1
Definition

in a way that involves great size, amount, or importance; done or organized on a big scale — for example, a largely expanded transport network or a largely attended international forum

Example

The governor proposed a largely expanded highway system connecting all major cities.

largely + past participle (expanded) for large-scale infrastructure

The annual conference was a largely attended event with delegates from over forty countries.

Common collocations
  • largely expanded
  • largely attended
  • largely conceived
  • largely planned
  • largely built
Synonyms
  • on a grand scale

    clearer and more natural in modern English

  • extensively

    focuses on wide coverage rather than impressiveness

  • greatly

    broader in meaning; can also indicate a high degree

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

largely + past participle (conceived/built/planned)

verb + largely (gave largely)

Usage Note

This sense is much less common than sense 1 (MOSTLY/MAINLY). It appears mainly in formal writing and describes deliberate large-scale actions. In everyday conversation, 'on a large scale' or 'in a big way' are more natural alternatives. Distinguish from sense 1 by checking whether the meaning is 'mostly' (sense 1) or 'in a grand/big manner' (sense 2).

Common Mistakes

They largely celebrated the holiday.' (ambiguous)
They celebrated the holiday in a grand style.
Without further context, 'largely celebrated' could mean 'mostly celebrated' or 'celebrated on a big scale.' Use a clearer phrasing.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All five adverbs indicate that something is true to a great extent but not completely. 'Largely' emphasises the degree or extent of coverage ('the building is largely unchanged' = almost entirely unchanged). 'Mostly' is more common in everyday speech and focuses on quantity or frequency ('the students are mostly from Taiwan'). 'Mainly' points to the most important element in a group or cause ('the delay was mainly due to the weather'). 'Chiefly' and 'primarily' are more formal. 'Chiefly' is used for the main item in a list or collection ('the museum collects chiefly modern art'), while 'primarily' highlights the main purpose or reason ('the course is primarily designed for beginners'). In most casual contexts 'mostly' or 'mainly' work best; in formal writing 'largely' or 'primarily' are common choices.

largely ↗mostly ↗mainly ↗chieflyprimarily ↗

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed from the adjective 'large' (meaning 'big, generous, abundant', from Old French 'large', from Latin 'largus' meaning abundant or copious) plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'. The word first appeared in English around the 15th century meaning 'in a generous or bountiful manner'. By the 17th century it had developed the sense 'to a great extent', and by the 18th century the meaning 'mostly, mainly' became the dominant one — shifting the focus from 'big in size' to 'big in degree or proportion'.