patriarchal
Patriarchal (adjective) means relating to or resembling a patriarch; dignified in the manner of a respected elder. Example: “He had a patriarchal air that made everyone in the room listen.”
How to use patriarchal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "like a wise elder male leader," or, more commonly today, "run by and favouring men."
Word forms
more patriarchal comparative, most patriarchal superlative
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He had a _____ air that made everyone in the room listen.
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin patriarchālis, from patriarcha + -ālis. Sychronically analyzable as patriarch + -al.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “patriarchal” mean?
The word “patriarchal” means relating to or resembling a patriarch; dignified in the manner of a respected elder. In plain terms, either "like a wise elder male leader," or, more commonly today, "run by and favouring men.".
How do you pronounce “patriarchal”?
“Patriarchal” is pronounced payt-ree-AHKL (/ˌpeɪtɹiˈɑɹkl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “patriarchal” in a sentence?
Here is “patriarchal” used in a sentence: “He had a patriarchal air that made everyone in the room listen.”
What is another word for “patriarchal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “patriarchal” include patriarchial and patriarchic.
What part of speech is “patriarchal”?
“Patriarchal” is an adjective.
Is “patriarchal” a common word?
“Patriarchal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “patriarchal” have?
“Patriarchal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to or resembling a patriarch; dignified in the manner of a respected elder.