geographical
jee-uh-GRA-fihkl
Geographical (adj) means relating to geography; an alternative form of geographic. Example: “The company chose its new office for geographical reasons, as it is close to the port.”
adj
1
Relating to geography; an alternative form of geographic.
"The company chose its new office for geographical reasons, as it is close to the port."
"Mountains and rivers are geographical features shown on this map."
"The two towns are close in geographical terms but culturally very different."
"ONE OF the facts which define the United States is that its national and its imperial boundaries are the same. Another is that it is a political unit which occupies a remarkably compact geographical unit of continental extent."
— Bernard DeVoto, Preface (1952)
How to use geographical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInterchangeable with "geographic" in almost all contexts.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- geographicals
- Comparative
- more geographical
- Superlative
- most geographical
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company chose its new office for _____ reasons, as it is close to the port.
Etymology
From geography plus the adjective suffix -ical.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for geographical
See all rhymes for geographical →Frequently asked questions
What does “geographical” mean?
The word “geographical” means relating to geography; an alternative form of geographic. In plain terms, interchangeable with "geographic" in almost all contexts.
How do you pronounce “geographical”?
“Geographical” is pronounced jee-uh-GRA-fihkl (/d͡ʒiəˈɡɹæfɪkl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “geographical” in a sentence?
Here is “geographical” used in a sentence: “The two towns are close in geographical terms but culturally very different.”
What part of speech is “geographical”?
“Geographical” is an adjective.
Is “geographical” a common word?
“Geographical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "geographical" and "geographic"?
"Geographical" is an alternative form of "geographic," and both describe something relating to geography with essentially the same meaning. The choice between them is largely stylistic rather than a difference in meaning.
When should you use "geographical" instead of "geographic"?
Both forms are correct and interchangeable, but "geographical" tends to appear more often in British English, while "geographic" is somewhat more common in American English.
Can "geographical" describe political or cultural boundaries, or only physical features?
"Geographical" relates to geography broadly, so it can describe physical features like mountains and rivers as well as human-defined boundaries such as regions or borders, wherever location is the relevant factor.
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