adj C2 Proficient

parochial

puh-ROH-keerl

Parochial (adj) means relating to a parish, the local area a church serves. Example: “The children attended the parochial school run by the church.”

adj

Relating to a parish, the local area a church serves.

"The children attended the parochial school run by the church."

Narrow-minded or overly focused on local matters, ignoring the wider picture.

"His parochial view of politics never looked beyond his own town."

"Critics called the policy parochial, since it ignored how other countries were handling the crisis."

How to Use Parochial

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither about a parish, or (more commonly today) narrow and small-minded in outlook.

Common mistake

The negative sense ("narrow-minded") is far more common in everyday speech than the literal "relating to a parish" sense.

Common pairings

parochial school a parochial attitude parochial concerns

Word Forms

more parochial comparative, parochials plural, most parochial superlative

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Fill the Gap

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The children attended the _____ school run by the church.

Etymology

From Late Latin parochialis, related to a church district, ultimately from Greek paroikia, "community, diocese."

Origin: Late Latin

Rhymes for parochial

dial trial aerial serial filial denial medial racial social burial facial menial

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “parochial” mean?

The word “parochial” means relating to a parish, the local area a church serves. In plain terms, either about a parish, or (more commonly today) narrow and small-minded in outlook.

How do you pronounce “parochial”?

“Parochial” is pronounced puh-ROH-keerl (/pəˈɹoʊki.əl/ in IPA).

How do you use “parochial” in a sentence?

Here is “parochial” used in a sentence: “The children attended the parochial school run by the church.”

What part of speech is “parochial”?

“Parochial” is an adjective.

Where does the word “parochial” come from?

The word “parochial” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin parochialis, related to a church district, ultimately from Greek paroikia, "community, diocese.".

How many meanings does “parochial” have?

“Parochial” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to a parish, the local area a church serves.

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C2 Vocabulary Words