adjective

gubernatorial

goo-buhn-uh-TOR-ee-uhl

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Gubernatorial (adjective) means relating to a governor, especially the governor of a US state, or to the office and election of one. Example: “Three candidates have entered the gubernatorial race in Ohio.”

adjective

Relating to a governor, especially the governor of a US state, or to the office and election of one.

"Three candidates have entered the gubernatorial race in Ohio."

"She served two gubernatorial terms before running for the Senate."

How to use gubernatorial

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo do with a state governor or their election.

When to use it

Formal and almost entirely American political and journalistic usage; it has no ordinary conversational use.

Memory tip

There is no adjective 'governorial' — gubernatorial is the only accepted form, which is why it looks so unlike the noun governor.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

gubernatorial vs. presidential gubernatorial vs. congressional

Common pairings

gubernatorial race gubernatorial candidate gubernatorial election gubernatorial primary gubernatorial veto

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Three candidates have entered the _____ race in Ohio.

Etymology

From Latin gubernator 'steersman, governor', from gubernare 'to steer', itself from Greek kybernan.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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governor's executive

Related words

director manager executive administrative presidential managing administrator businessman

Rhymes for gubernatorial

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

See all rhymes for gubernatorial →

Frequently asked questions

Why is it gubernatorial and not governorial?

Governor reached English through French, which softened the Latin gubernator into governeur. The adjective was borrowed later and directly from the Latin stem gubernator-, so it kept the original b and u. The two words share an ancestor but took different routes.

What is the difference between gubernatorial and presidential elections?

A gubernatorial election chooses the governor who heads an individual state's executive branch. A presidential election chooses the national head of state and government. They run on different cycles, and many states deliberately hold gubernatorial races in non-presidential years.

What is the meaning of gubernatorial?

"gubernatorial" (adjective) means relating to a governor, especially the governor of a US state, or to the office and election of one.

What is another word for gubernatorial?

Other words for "gubernatorial" include governor's, executive.

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director manager executive administrative presidential managing administrator businessman