If you agree with something in principle, you agree in general terms to the idea of it, although you do not yet know the details or know if it will be possible.
I agree with it in principle but I doubt if it will happen in practice.
Synonyms: in general, generally, all things considered, on the whole More Synonyms of in principle
See full dictionary entry for principle
in principle
phrase
If something is possible in principle, there is no known reason why it should not happen, even though it has not happened before.
Even assuming this to be in principle possible, it will not be achieved soon.
See full dictionary entry for principle
in principle in British English
in theory or essence
See full dictionary entry for principle
in principle in American English
theoretically or in essence
See full dictionary entry for principle
Examples of 'in principle' in a sentence
in principle
Trish resisted the temptation to inform him that furnishing fabrics were unrationed, for he was quite right in principle.
Melville, Anne THE HARDIE INHERITANCE (2001)
To get her to accept mercy killing in principle was nine-tenths of the argument won.
Stewart, Michael COMPULSION (2001)
This means, in principle, that it is 100 times stronger than the chemical bonds that make up most ordinary construction material.
Tony Daniel METAPLANETARY (2001)
Chinese translation of 'in principle'
in principle
(= in theory) 原则(則)上 (yuánzé shang)
See principle (sense 3)
Nearby words of
in principle
in practice
in preference to sth
in preparation for sth
in principle
in prison
in pristine condition
in private
Related terms of
in principle
to agree to/approve of sth in principle
1 (phrase)
I agree with this plan in principle.
Synonyms
in general
In general, young people are less likely to vote in an election.
generally
Ivan made a few mistakes but was generally happy with his form.
all things considered
on the whole
On the whole, people are travelling for pleasure much more these days.
in the main
In the main, children are taboo in the workplace.
by and large
By and large, the papers greet the government's new policy with scepticism.
in essence
In essence, we share the same ideology.
all in all
on balance
2 (phrase)
Definition
in theory though not always in practice
In principle, it should be possible.
Synonyms
in theory
School dental services exists in theory, but in practice there are few.
ideally
Ideally, you should be doing at least 24 steps a minute.
on paper
On paper, she is the best person for the job.
theoretically
in an ideal world
en principe (French)
See principle
Additional synonyms
in the sense of by and large
By and large, the papers greet the government's new policy with scepticism.
Synonyms
on the whole,
generally,
mostly,
in general,
all things considered,
predominantly,
in the main,
for the most part,
all in all,
as a rule,
taking everything into consideration
in the sense of generally
Definition
not specifically
Ivan made a few mistakes but was generally happy with his form.
Synonyms
broadly,
mainly,
mostly,
principally,
on the whole,
predominantly,
in the main,
for the most part
in the sense of ideally
Ideally, you should be doing at least 24 steps a minute.