Principal vs. Principle: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 19, 2024

Principal refers to the primary or most important person or thing, or the original sum of money lent or invested, whereas Principle refers to a fundamental truth, law, or standard of behavior.

Key Differences

The word 'Principal' often denotes the foremost entity in a certain context, such as the head of a school or the main party in a business transaction. It also refers to the original amount of a debt or investment, excluding profits or interest. 'Principle', on the other hand, signifies a foundational belief or standard that guides behavior or policy, embodying a basic truth or theory that forms the basis for a system of belief or behavior.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

In an educational setting, a Principal is the leader or the highest authority within a school, responsible for administration and policy enforcement. Conversely, Principle in the same context might refer to the fundamental doctrines or values upon which the educational system or curriculum is based, like the principle of equal opportunity in education.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

In finance, Principal refers to the initial sum of money lent or invested, before interest or earnings are calculated. In contrast, Principle in finance could refer to a basic rule or theory, such as the principle of risk and return, which posits that potential return rises with an increase in risk.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

When discussing roles in contracts or agreements, the Principal is the primary person involved or the main entity whose interests are represented, such as a client in relation to an agent. Principle in legal or ethical discussions represents the fundamental rule or doctrine, like the principle of fairness or justice.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

In summary, Principal typically refers to a primary person or sum of money, while Principle relates to a fundamental rule, theory, or standard. The usage of each word depends significantly on the context, be it educational, financial, legal, or ethical.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Comparison Chart

Meaning

Primary person or original sum of money

Fundamental truth or standard

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Context Usage

Educational leader, main party, original investment

Guiding belief, moral rule, basic theory

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

In Education

Head of a school

Fundamental value or doctrine

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

In Finance

Original amount of loan or investment

Basic rule or theory like risk and return

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

In Law and Ethics

Main person in legal agreements

Fundamental legal or ethical standard

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Principal and Principle Definitions

Principal

Principal as the head of a school.

The principal announced a new policy on school uniforms.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 08, 2024

Principle

Principle as a fundamental truth or law.

The principle of gravity explains why objects fall.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 08, 2024

Principal

Principal as the main party in a transaction.

The principal investor decided to increase her investment.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 08, 2024

Principle

Principle as a rule or belief governing behavior.

Honesty is a guiding principle in my life.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 08, 2024

Principal

First or highest in rank or importance.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

Principle as a standard or criterion.

The principle of fairness is important in justice.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 08, 2024

Principal

Of, relating to, or being financial principal, or a principal in a financial transaction.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A basic truth, law, or assumption

The principles of democracy.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

One who holds a position of presiding rank, especially the head of an elementary school, middle school, or high school.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A rule or standard, especially of good behavior

A man of principle.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

A main participant in a situation, especially a financial transaction.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

The collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments

A decision based on principle rather than expediency.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

A person having a leading or starring role in a performance, such as the first player in a section of an orchestra.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A fixed or predetermined policy or mode of action.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

An amount of capital originally borrowed or invested, as opposed to the interest paid or accruing on it.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A basic or essential quality or element determining intrinsic nature or characteristic behavior

The principle of self-preservation.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

The most significant part of an estate, as opposed to minor or incidental components.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A rule or law concerning the functioning of natural phenomena or mechanical processes

The principle of jet propulsion.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

The person on behalf of whom an agent acts.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

(Chemistry) One of the elements that compose a substance, especially one that gives some special quality or effect.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

The person having prime responsibility for an obligation as distinguished from one who acts as surety or as an endorser.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A basic source. See Usage Note at principal.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

The main actor in the perpetration of a crime.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A fundamental assumption or guiding belief.

We need some sort of principles to reason from.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

(Architecture) Either of a pair of inclined timbers forming the sides of a triangular truss for a pitched roof.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A rule used to choose among solutions to a problem.

The principle of least privilege holds that a process should only receive the permissions it needs.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

Primary; most important; first level in importance.

Smith is the principal architect of this design.

The principal cause of the failure was poor planning.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

Moral rule or aspect.

I don't doubt your principles.

You are clearly a person of principle.

It's the principle of the thing; I won't do business with someone I can't trust.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

Of or relating to a prince; princely.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

(physics) A rule or law of nature, or the basic idea on how the laws of nature are applied.

Bernoulli's Principle

The Pauli Exclusion Principle prevents two fermions from occupying the same state.

The principle of the internal combustion engine

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

(mathematics) Chosen or assumed among a branch of possible values of a multi-valued function so that the function is single-valued.

Two is the principal square root of 4. Both −2 and +2 are square roots of 4.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality.

Many believe that life is the result of some vital principle.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

The money originally invested or loaned, on which basis interest and returns are calculated.

A portion of your mortgage payment goes to reduce the principal, and the rest covers interest.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

The chief administrator of a school.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

An original faculty or endowment.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

The chief executive and chief academic officer of a university or college.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

Misspelling of principal

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

(legal) A legal person that authorizes another (the agent) to act on their behalf; or on whose behalf an agent or gestor in a negotiorum gestio acts.

When an attorney represents a client, the client is the principal who permits the attorney, the client′s agent, to act on the client′s behalf.

My principal sells metal shims.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

(obsolete) A beginning.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

(legal) The primary participant in a crime.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

(transitive) To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet or rule of conduct.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

(North America) A partner or owner of a business.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

Beginning; commencement.

Doubting sad end of principle unsound.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

(music) A diapason, a type of organ stop on a pipe organ.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.

The soul of man is an active principle.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

The construction that gives shape and strength to a roof, generally a truss of timber or iron; or, loosely, the most important member of a piece of framing.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

An original faculty or endowment.

Nature in your principles hath set [benignity].

Those active principles whose direct and ultimate object is the communication either of enjoyment or suffering.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

The first two long feathers of a hawk's wing.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or doctrine, from which others are derived, or on which others are founded; a general truth; an elementary proposition; a maxim; an axiom; a postulate.

Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.

A good principle, not rightly understood, may prove as hurtful as a bad.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

One of the turrets or pinnacles of waxwork and tapers with which the posts and centre of a funeral hearse were formerly crowned

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; an opinion or belief which exercises a directing influence on the life and behavior; a rule (usually, a right rule) of conduct consistently directing one's actions; as, a person of no principle.

All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an honest principle of mind.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

(obsolete) An essential point or rule; a principle.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

Any original inherent constituent which characterizes a substance, or gives it its essential properties, and which can usually be separated by analysis; - applied especially to drugs, plant extracts, etc.

Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of senna.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

A dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet, or rule of conduct, good or ill.

Governors should be well principled.

Let an enthusiast be principled that he or his teacher is inspired.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

(computing) A security principal.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct;

Their principles of composition characterized all their works

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

Highest in rank, authority, character, importance, or degree; most considerable or important; chief; main; as, the principal officers of a Government; the principal men of a state; the principal productions of a country; the principal arguments in a case.

Wisdom is the principal thing.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A rule or standard especially of good behavior;

A man of principle

He will not violate his principles

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

Of or pertaining to a prince; princely.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A basic truth or law or assumption;

The principles of democracy

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

A leader, chief, or head; one who takes the lead; one who acts independently, or who has controlling authority or influence; as, the principal of a faction, a school, a firm, etc.; - distinguished from a subordinate, abettor, auxiliary, or assistant.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

A rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system;

The principle of the conservation of mass

The principle of jet propulsion

The right-hand rule for inductive fields

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

The chief actor in a crime, or an abettor who is present at it, - as distinguished from an accessory.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

Rule of personal conduct

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

A thing of chief or prime importance; something fundamental or especially conspicuous.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

(law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature);

The rationale for capital punishment

The principles of internal-combustion engines

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

The original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

Principle as a theoretical basis of a system.

The principles of democracy are widely studied.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 08, 2024

Principal

The educator who has executive authority for a school;

She sent unruly pupils to see the principal

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principle

Principle in ethics, a fundamental moral rule.

The principle of respect for others guides our community.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 08, 2024

Principal

An actor who plays a principal role

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

Capital as contrasted with the income derived from it

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

The major party to a financial transaction at a stock exchange; buys and sells for his own account

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

Most important element;

The chief aim of living

The main doors were of solid glass

The principal rivers of America

The principal example

Policemen were primary targets

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 06, 2024

Principal

Principal as the original sum of money lent or invested.

The principal amount of the loan was $10,000.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 08, 2024

Principal

Principal as the foremost or most important.

The principal reason for the change was customer feedback.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 08, 2024

Principal

Principal in a legal context, the primary person involved.

The principal in the contract is responsible for compliance.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 08, 2024

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Can Principle refer to a law of nature?

Yes, it can refer to fundamental laws like the principle of gravity.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

What is a Principle in ethics?

A fundamental moral rule or standard.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

What does Principal mean in legal terms?

The main person involved in a legal agreement.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Can Principal refer to money in a savings account?

Yes, it refers to the original amount deposited.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

How is Principal used in finance?

Referring to the original sum of money lent or invested.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Are Principles universally accepted?

Some are, but others can vary by culture or individual belief.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Is a school Principal always an individual?

Yes, it refers to the person in charge of the school.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

How do Principles affect decision-making?

They guide behavior and choices based on fundamental beliefs.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

What is the role of a Principal in a company?

A primary person or entity involved in the company's operations.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

What does Principal mean in a school?

The head or leader of the school.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Does Principal in finance accrue interest?

Interest accrues on the principal amount.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Are Principles always related to morality?

Often, but they can also refer to general truths or theories.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Can a Principle be proven wrong?

Yes, especially if it's a scientific principle based on new evidence.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Is a Principle always a positive standard?

Generally, but it depends on the context and perspective.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

How do you become a school Principal?

Through educational qualifications and leadership experience.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Can there be multiple Principals in a contract?

Yes, there can be more than one primary party involved.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

How do Principles influence culture?

They form the basis of societal norms and values.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Is the Principal of a bond the same as its value?

It's the original amount borrowed, not including interest.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Are Principles subjective or objective?

They can be both, depending on whether they are personal beliefs or universal truths.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Do Principles change over time?

They can evolve, but often represent enduring truths or standards.

Shumaila Saeed

Jan 19, 2024

Share this page

Link for your blog / website

HTML

Link to share via messenger

↩ Previous

Pledge vs. Hypothecation Principal vs. Principle

Next ↪

AMOLED Display vs. Super AMOLED Display Principal vs. Principle

About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.