parental
puh-REHN-tuhl
Parental (adj) means relating to a parent or to parenthood. Example: “Parental consent is needed before pupils can join the school trip.”
adj
1
Relating to a parent or to parenthood.
"Parental consent is needed before pupils can join the school trip."
"The app has parental controls to limit screen time."
"She sought parental advice before making the big decision."
How to use parental
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving to do with being, or acting like, a parent.
Common pairings
parental controls
parental guidance
parental leave
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like parental.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- parentals
- Comparative
- more parental
- Superlative
- most parental
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ consent is needed before pupils can join the school trip.
Etymology
From Latin parentalis, from parens ("parent").
Related words
Rhymes for parental
mental
dental
rental
Oriental
elemental
accidental
ornamental
judgmental
incidental
monumental
regimental
incremental
See all rhymes for parental →
Frequently asked questions
What does “parental” mean?
The word “parental” means relating to a parent or to parenthood. In plain terms, having to do with being, or acting like, a parent.
How do you pronounce “parental”?
“Parental” is pronounced puh-REHN-tuhl (/pəˈɹɛn.təl/ in IPA).
How do you use “parental” in a sentence?
Here is “parental” used in a sentence: “The app has parental controls to limit screen time.”
What is the opposite of “parental”?
The opposite of “parental” — its antonyms — is filial.
What part of speech is “parental”?
“Parental” is an adjective.
Where does the word “parental” come from?
The word “parental” comes from Latin. From Latin parentalis, from parens ("parent").
Is “parental” a common word?
“Parental” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between parental and parenting?
Parental is an adjective describing something relating to a parent or parenthood, such as "parental consent" or "parental leave." Parenting is typically a noun or gerund referring to the active process of raising a child, as in "good parenting."
What are common collocations with parental?
Parental frequently pairs with nouns like "consent," "guidance," "controls," "leave," and "responsibility," as in "parental controls" on a device or "parental consent" for a minor. These fixed phrases appear often in legal, educational, and technology contexts.
Can parental describe just one parent, or does it imply both?
Parental can refer to either or both parents, since it simply relates to the role or status of being a parent rather than specifying number. Context usually clarifies whether one or both parents are meant, such as "parental consent" often requiring just one parent's signature.
