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The word PRINCIPLE is always a Noun, as in the description of a “man or woman with a firm set of principles.” A Principle is defined as a truth or a foundation for other truths. It may also be a belief system, a rule of conduct.

The word PRINCIPAL may be either a Noun or an Adjective. In either case, it means “Main” or “Most Important”.  Example of an adjective:  “His blundering style of coaching is the principal reason why his team lost the game.” As a noun:  “The principal of the school usually has leeway in setting rules.”