Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun principle

6 senses of principle

Sense 1
principle, rule -- (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")
       => generalization, generalisation, generality -- (an idea or conclusion having general application; "he spoke in broad generalities")

Sense 2
principle -- (a rule or standard especially of good behavior; "a man of principle"; "he will not violate his principles")
       => value -- (an ideal accepted by some individual or group; "he has old-fashioned values")

Sense 3
principle -- (a basic truth or law or assumption; "the principles of democracy")
       => law, natural law -- (a rule or body of rules of conduct inherent in human nature and essential to or binding upon human society)

Sense 4
principle, rule -- (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")
       => law, law of nature -- (a generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature; "the laws of thermodynamics")

Sense 5
principle, precept -- (rule of personal conduct)
       => rule, prescript -- (prescribed guide for conduct or action)

Sense 6
rationale, 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")
       => explanation -- (thought that makes something comprehensible)