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adjective B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

governmental

guhvn-MEHNTL

Governmental (adjective) means relating to a government or to the act of governing. Example: “The charity relies on governmental funding as well as private donations.”

adjective
1
Relating to a government or to the act of governing.
"The charity relies on governmental funding as well as private donations."

Word Forms

more governmental comparative, most governmental superlative

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Test yourself on “governmental” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The charity relies on _____ funding as well as private donations.

Etymology

Formed from "government" plus the adjective ending "-al".

administrative official public-sector

Antonyms

non-governmental

Related Words

Rhymes for governmental

See all rhymes for governmental →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “governmental” mean?

The word “governmental” means relating to a government or to the act of governing.

How do you pronounce “governmental”?

“Governmental” is pronounced guhvn-MEHNTL (/ˌɡʌvɚnˈmɛnt(ə)l/ in IPA).

How do you use “governmental” in a sentence?

Here is “governmental” used in a sentence: “The charity relies on governmental funding as well as private donations.”

What is the opposite of “governmental”?

The opposite of “governmental” — its antonyms — is non-governmental.

What part of speech is “governmental”?

“Governmental” is an adjective.

Is “governmental” a common word?

“Governmental” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

What is the difference between 'governmental' and 'political'?

Governmental relates specifically to a government or the act of governing, such as governmental agencies or governmental policy, while political relates more broadly to politics, power, and public affairs, including activity outside formal government structures. Something can be political without being governmental, such as a political rally organized by private citizens.

What is the difference between 'governmental' and 'government' used as an adjective?</question>

Both can modify a noun, as in "governmental agencies" versus "government agencies," and they mean essentially the same thing. "Government" used attributively is more common and concise in everyday writing, while "governmental" is often preferred in more formal or academic contexts.

What kinds of nouns commonly follow 'governmental'?

Common collocations include "governmental agency," "governmental authority," "governmental policy," and "governmental regulation," all relating to a government or the act of governing. These pairings appear frequently in legal, political, and academic writing.

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