Major vs. Main — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 5, 2023
"Major" often refers to greater importance or significance, whereas "Main" denotes the principal or primary subject or object. Both can imply prominence but in varying contexts.
Difference Between Major and Main
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The word "Major" is versatile, denoting greater importance, larger scale, or significance. It is used in contexts ranging from academics (a major in college) to music (major key). "Main," on the other hand, is straightforward, pointing directly to the primary or chief subject, object, or entity in a group.
In a musical context, "major" refers to a type of scale or chord, like C Major. Conversely, "main" doesn't have this musical association, but could indicate a primary route or road, such as the "main street."
"Major" can carry a more subjective tone, suggesting something of greater importance or seriousness. "Main" is more objective, simply referring to the most central or primary item without qualitative judgment.
In academic contexts, a "major" is a primary field of study for a student. The word "main" doesn’t quite fit this context. Instead, you'd encounter "main" in phrases like "main idea" or "main entrance."
While both words can sometimes be used interchangeably, "major" often has a broader, sometimes qualitative implication, whereas "main" is more narrow and direct, indicating centrality.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Meaning
Of greater importance or significance
Principal or chief in relation to others
Academic Use
Primary field of study in college
The primary point, as in "main idea"
Music
A type of scale or chord, like C Major
Does not have a specific musical connotation
Roadways
Not typically used
Refers to the primary route, like "main street"
Subjectivity
Carries a more subjective tone
More objective and direct
Compare with Definitions
Major
Greater in importance, seriousness, or significance.
The environmental crisis is a major concern for scientists.
Main
Chief in size or importance.
The main entrance is at the front of the building.
Major
Major is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world.
Main
The open part of a sea or ocean.
The ship set sail on the main.
Major
Important, serious, or significant
The use of drugs is a major problem
Main
Most important; principal.
Major
(of a scale) having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees.
Main
Exerted to the utmost; sheer
"They took her off the sled by main strength" (Jack London).
Major
(appended to a surname in public schools) indicating the elder of two brothers.
Main
(Nautical) Connected to or located near the mainmast
A main skysail.
Major
(of a term) occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
Main
(Obsolete) Of or relating to a continuous area or stretch, as of land or water.
Major
A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
Main
The chief or largest part
His ideas are, in the main, impractical.
Major
A major key, interval, or scale.
Main
The principal pipe or conduit in a system for conveying water, gas, oil, or other utility.
Major
A major organization or competition
The majors have swept up the smaller independent companies in licensing deals
It's not unreasonable to believe someone can win all four majors
The oil majors had a profit bonanza
Main
Physical strength
Fought with might and main.
Major
A student's principal subject or course
Many students would ignore courses outside their major
Main
A mainland.
Major
A major term or premise.
Main
The open ocean.
Major
Short for major suit
South was anxious to mention his four-card major and bid one spade
Main
A mainsail.
Major
A goal.
Main
A mainmast.
Major
Specialize in (a particular subject) at college or university
I was trying to decide if I should major in drama or English
Main
The main dish of a meal
"Unsurprisingly, the mains and their house-made condiments were the standouts of a recent meal" (Lindsey Tramuta).
Major
Greater than others in importance or rank
A major artist.
Main
Of chief or leading importance; prime, principal.
Major
Great in scope or effect
A major improvement.
Main
Chief, most important, or principal in extent, size, or strength; consisting of the largest part.
Main timbers
Main branch of a river
Main body of an army
Major
Great in number, size, or extent
The major portion of the population.
Main
Full, sheer, undivided.
Major
Requiring great attention or concern; very serious
A major illness.
Main
(dialectal) Big; angry.
Major
(Law) Legally recognized as having reached the age of adulthood.
Main
(nautical) Belonging to or connected with the principal mast in a vessel.
Major
Of or relating to the field of academic study in which a student specializes.
Main
(obsolete) Great in size or degree; important, powerful, strong, vast.
Major
Designating a scale or mode having half steps between the third and fourth and the seventh and eighth degrees.
Main
Exceedingly, extremely, greatly, mightily, very, very much.
Major
Equivalent to the distance between the tonic note and the second or third or sixth or seventh degrees of a major scale or mode
A major interval.
Main
To mainly play a specific character or side, or with specific equipment, during a game.
He mains the same character as me in that game.
What race do you main and what is your favourite race to beat?
For new players, I recommend maining the dagger and using the axe as a backup weapon.
Major
Based on a major scale
A major key.
Main
(obsolete) To convert (a road) into a main or primary road.
Major
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
Main
That which is chief or principal; the chief or main portion; the bulk, the greater part, gross.
Major
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
Main
(video gaming) The primary character that one plays in a video game in which one can play more than one character.
My WoW main has reached level cap and I’m on my way getting my first alt there as well.
Major
One that is superior in rank, importance, or ability
An oil-producing country considered as one of the majors.
Main
A large cable or pipe providing utility service to an area or a building, such as a water main or electric main.
Major
(Law) One recognized by the law as having reached the age of adulthood.
Main
(informal) dish]] of a meal
I had scampi and chips for my main and a slice of cheesecake for dessert.
Major
A field of study chosen as an academic specialty.
Main
The high seas.
Major
A student specializing in such studies
A linguistics major.
Main
The mainland.
Major
A major premise.
Main
(nautical) mainsail
Major
A major term.
Main
Force, power, strength, violent effort.
Major
A major scale, key, interval, or mode.
Main
A hand or match in a game of dice.
Major
A chord containing a major third between the first and second notes and a minor third between the second and third notes.
Main
The largest throw in a match at dice; in the game of hazard, a number from one to nine called out by a person before the dice are thrown.
Major
Majors Sports The major leagues.
Main
A stake played for at dice.
Major
To pursue academic studies in a major
Majoring in mathematics.
Main
A sporting contest or match, especially a cockfighting match.
Major
(attributive):
Main
A banker's shovel for coins.
Major
Greater in dignity, rank, importance, significance, or interest.
Main
A basket for gathering grapes.
Major
Greater in number, quantity, or extent.
The major part of the assembly
Main
A hand or match at dice.
Major
Notable or conspicuous in effect or scope.
Main
A stake played for at dice.
Major
Prominent or significant in size, amount, or degree.
To earn some major cash
Main
The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given limits, as in the game of hazard.
Major
(medicine) Involving great risk, serious, life-threatening.
To suffer from a major illness
Main
A match at cockfighting.
Major
Of full legal age, having attained majority.
Major children
Main
A main-hamper.
Major
(education) Of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization.
Main
Strength; force; might; violent effort.
There were in this battle of most might and main.
He 'gan advance,With huge force, and with importable main.
Major
(music):
Main
The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing.
Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to use the other two . . . but as supporters.
Major
Having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees.
Major scale
Main
The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc. ; the high sea; the ocean.
With might and main they chased the murderous fox.
Major
Equivalent to that between the tonic and another note of a major scale, and greater by a semitone than the corresponding minor interval.
Major third
Main
Very or extremely strong.
That current with main fury ran.
Major
(postpositive) of a key Based on a major scale, tending to produce a bright or joyful effect.
Main
Vast; huge.
Major
(campanology) Bell changes rung on eight bells.
Main
Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer.
Major
Indicating the elder of two brothers, appended to a surname in public schools.
Main
Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.; as, the main reason to go; the main proponent.
Our main interest is to be happy as we can.
Major
(logic)
Main
Important; necessary.
That which thou arightBelievest so main to our success, I bring.
That Maine which by main force Warwick did win.
Major
Occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
Main
Very; extremely; as, main heavy.
Major
Containing the major term in a categorical syllogism.
Main
Any very large body of (salt) water
Major
(military ranks) A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, between captain and lieutenant colonel.
He used to be a major in the army.
Main
A principal pipe in a system that distributes water or gas or electricity or that collects sewage
Major
An officer in charge of a section of band instruments, used with a modifier.
Main
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
Major
A person of legal age.
Main
Of a clause; able to stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence;
The main (or independent) clause in a complex sentence has at least a subject and a verb
Major
(music):
Main
Of force; of the greatest possible intensity;
By main strength
Major
Ellipsis of major key.
Main
The principal or primary element or agent.
The main reason I'm going is to see old friends.
Major
Ellipsis of major interval.
Main
A pipe or cable carrying water, electricity, etc., to a number of locations.
The main burst and the entire street was flooded.
Major
Ellipsis of major scale.
Main
Denoting the most important dish out of a meal.
For the main course, I'll have the grilled salmon.
Major
(campanology) A system of change-ringing using eight bells.
Major
A large, commercially successful company, especially a record label that is bigger than an indie.
Major
The principal subject or course of a student working toward a degree at a college or university.
Midway through his second year of college, he still hadn't chosen a major.
Major
A student at a college or university specializing on a given area of study.
She is a math major.
Major
(logic):
Major
Ellipsis of major term.
Major
Ellipsis of major premise.
Major
(bridge) major suit.
Major
(Canadian football) A touchdown, or major score.
Major
(Australian rules football) A goal.
Major
An elder brother (especially at a public school).
Major
(entomology) A large leaf-cutter ant that acts as a soldier, defending the nest.
Major
(obsolete) mayor and {{en}}.
Major
(intransitive) major in
Major
Greater in number, quantity, or extent; as, the major part of the assembly; the major part of the revenue; the major part of the territory.
Major
Of greater dignity; more important.
Major
Of full legal age; adult.
Major
Greater by a semitone, either in interval or in difference of pitch from another tone.
Major
An officer next in rank above a captain and next below a lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer.
Major
A person of full age.
Major
That premise which contains the major term. It its the first proposition of a regular syllogism; as: No unholy person is qualified for happiness in heaven [the major]. Every man in his natural state is unholy [minor]. Therefore, no man in his natural state is qualified for happiness in heaven [conclusion or inference].
Major
A mayor.
Major
A commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
Major
British statesman who was prime minister from 1990 until 1997 (born in 1943)
Major
A university student who is studying a particular field as the principal subject;
She is a linguistics major
Major
The principal field of study of a student at a university;
Her major is linguistics
Major
Have as one's principal field of study;
She is majoring in linguistics
Major
Of greater importance or stature or rank;
A major artist
A major role
Major highways
Major
Greater in scope or effect;
A major contribution
A major improvement
A major break with tradition
A major misunderstanding
Major
Greater in number or size or amount;
A major portion (a majority) of the population
Ursa Major
A major portion of the winnings
Major
Of the field of academic study in which one concentrates or specializes;
His major field was mathematics
Major
Of a scale or mode;
Major scales
The key of D major
Major
Of greater seriousness or danger;
A major earthquake
A major hurricane
A major illness
Major
Of full legal age;
Major children
Major
Of the elder of two boys with the same family name;
Jones major
Major
A primary field of study in higher education.
She chose psychology as her major in college.
Major
Of more than usual size, amount, or degree.
The city experienced a major power outage last night.
Major
Denoting a specific key in music, based on a major scale.
The song is written in D major.
Major
Serving as a ranking above captain in the armed forces.
Major Smith will be leading the operation tomorrow.
Common Curiosities
In college, is my primary subject called my "main"?
No, it's typically referred to as your "major."
Can I say "major road" instead of "main road"?
While both are understood, "main road" is the more common expression.
Is a "main key" a term in music?
No, in music, you'd more likely hear "major key."
Are "major" and "main" synonyms?
They can be, in some contexts, but they often carry different nuances.
If something is of utmost importance, is it "major" or "main"?
Either can be used, but "major" often implies greater significance.
Is the "main" always the largest or most significant?
Not always the largest, but it's typically the most central or primary.
What's the opposite of "major key" in music?
The opposite would be a "minor key."
Can "major" be used to describe events?
Yes, like a "major event" would be one of significant importance.
Does "major" always mean more important?
Not always, but it often carries a connotation of greater importance or significance.
Can "major" indicate size?
Yes, it can indicate something larger in size or amount.
In the military, what does "major" denote?
It's a rank above captain in the armed forces.
What's the "main" in a meal?
It refers to the primary or most substantial dish, typically following the appetizer.
Can "main" indicate direction?
Not typically. Though "mainly" can sometimes suggest a primary direction or focus.
Is "main" used in technology?
Yes, like the "mainframe" in computing or the "main circuit" in electronics.
Can I use "major" and "main" interchangeably in all contexts?
While they can be used interchangeably in some cases, they have unique nuances in certain contexts. Always consider the specific meaning you want to convey.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
