pastoral
PAHS-tuh-ruhl
Pastoral (adj) means relating to shepherds, farming, or peaceful rural life. Example: “The painting shows a pastoral scene of sheep grazing in the hills.”
adj
1
Relating to shepherds, farming, or peaceful rural life.
"The painting shows a pastoral scene of sheep grazing in the hills."
"She wrote pastoral poetry celebrating country life."
"The poet's pastoral verses describe shepherds and quiet meadows."
2
Relating to a pastor's spiritual guidance of a congregation.
"The bishop offered pastoral care to families affected by the tragedy."
"The vicar's pastoral duties include visiting sick members of the parish."
"She trained for pastoral work in a small church community."
noun
1
A poem or piece of music depicting idealised rural life.
"Beethoven's "Pastoral" symphony evokes scenes of the countryside."
"The composer wrote a gentle pastoral for flute and strings."
"In class we read a pastoral about shepherds singing beside a stream."
How to use pastoral
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "to do with peaceful country/farming life" or "to do with a pastor's spiritual care of people."
Common pairings
pastoral care
pastoral scene
pastoral poetry
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Word forms
- Plural
- pastorals
- Comparative
- more pastoral
- Superlative
- most pastoral
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The painting shows a _____ scene of sheep grazing in the hills.
Etymology
From Latin pastoralis, "of a shepherd," from pastor ("shepherd") — the same root as pastor.
Related words
Rhymes for pastoral
See all rhymes for pastoral →Frequently asked questions
What does “pastoral” mean?
The word “pastoral” means relating to shepherds, farming, or peaceful rural life. In plain terms, either "to do with peaceful country/farming life" or "to do with a pastor's spiritual care of people.".
How do you pronounce “pastoral”?
“Pastoral” is pronounced PAHS-tuh-ruhl (/ˈpæs.tə.ɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pastoral” in a sentence?
Here is “pastoral” used in a sentence: “The painting shows a pastoral scene of sheep grazing in the hills.”
What part of speech is “pastoral”?
Depending on how it is used, “pastoral” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “pastoral” come from?
The word “pastoral” comes from Latin. From Latin pastoralis, "of a shepherd," from pastor ("shepherd") — the same root as pastor.
Is “pastoral” a common word?
“Pastoral” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “pastoral” have?
“Pastoral” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to shepherds, farming, or peaceful rural life.
What is the difference between pastoral and rural?
Rural simply describes something located in or characteristic of the countryside, while pastoral specifically evokes an idealised, peaceful vision of farming or shepherding life, often in an artistic or literary sense. A rural town is just in the countryside, but a pastoral scene suggests idyllic tranquility.
Can pastoral be used as a noun as well as an adjective?
Yes, as a noun, a pastoral refers to a poem or piece of music that depicts an idealised version of rural life, a literary and musical tradition dating back to classical works celebrating shepherds and countryside simplicity.
