Principal vs Principle

Quick Tip: Remember: Principal can be a person (the principal of a school) or an adjective (main). Principle is always a noun (a rule or belief).

Principal

noun

the person with the highest authority in an organization, especially a school

Examples:
  • The principal announced a new school policy.
  • She met with the principal to discuss her grades.
  • The principal investigator led the research team.
adjective

first in order of importance; main

Examples:
  • The principal reason for the delay was bad weather.
  • What is the principal aim of this project?
  • The principal source of income is tourism.

Principle

noun

a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior

Examples:
  • He refused to compromise his principles.
  • The principle of equality is important.
  • This violates basic principles of justice.
noun

a general scientific theorem or law

Examples:
  • The principle of gravity explains why objects fall.
  • This experiment demonstrates the principle of conservation of energy.
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