Principal vs Principle
What's the difference?
These sound exactly the same, but one is a person or the main thing, and the other is a rule or belief. A tiny memory trick keeps them straight.
Quick answer
Principal = the main thing, or the head of a school. Principle = a rule or belief. The school head is your "pal" (principAL).
Compared side by side
(noun) the head of a school; (adjective) main or most important.
- “The principal called a meeting.”
- “The principal reason is cost.”
- “She's the principal dancer in the company.”
(noun) a rule, belief, or basic truth.
- “It's against my principles.”
- “The principle of gravity.”
- “She agreed in principle.”
How to remember it
The principAL is your PAL (and the main, most important one). A principLE is a ruLE — both end in "-le."
Frequently asked
How do I remember which is which?
The school principal is your "pal" (-al), and principal also means main (the principal reason). A principle is a rule — both end in -le.
Can "principal" mean money?
Yes — in finance, the principal is the original sum of money (before interest). It's still the "main" amount, so the same -al spelling applies.