principal, principle
Proper diction requires an understanding of words that are commonly confused.
The difference between the homonyms "principal" and "principle" is often confusing.
The word "principal" can be used as an adjective or a noun. The adjective form of "principal" means "first in importance or authority," and the noun form of "principal" means "a person who is first in importance or authority (such as the head of a school or the main actor in a performance)."
The word "principle" is a noun that means "a fundamental truth or doctrine (especially one upon which others are based); an essential quality or element of something."
