structural
10 synonyms for structural, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Relating to the structure, framework, or underlying arrangement of something.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use structural
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
structural damage
structural integrity
structural changes
Etymology
From structure plus the adjective-forming suffix -al, dating to the 19th century.
Full origin of structural →Frequently asked questions
What does “structural” mean?
The word “structural” means relating to the structure, framework, or underlying arrangement of something. In plain terms, relating to how something is built or organized at its core.
How do you pronounce “structural”?
“Structural” is pronounced STRUHK-shuh-ruhl (/ˈstɹʌk(t͡)ʃəɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “structural” in a sentence?
Here is “structural” used in a sentence: “The engineer found a structural flaw in the bridge's main support beam.”
What part of speech is “structural”?
“Structural” is an adjective.
Where does the word “structural” come from?
The word “structural” dates back to around 1800. From structure plus the adjective-forming suffix -al, dating to the 19th century.
Is “structural” a common word?
“Structural” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between "structural" and "structured"?
"Structural" relates to the structure or framework of something, as in structural damage to a building. "Structured" means organised or arranged according to a plan, as in a structured lesson, so one describes the framework itself and the other describes deliberate organisation.
What is the difference between "structural" and "cosmetic"?
"Structural" refers to the underlying framework that holds something together, so structural damage affects stability. "Cosmetic" refers to surface appearance only, so a cosmetic crack looks bad but does not threaten the structure.
