adjective
Uncommon
patriarchal
payt-ree-AHKL
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.”
adjective
1
Relating to or resembling a patriarch; dignified in the manner of a respected elder.
"He had a patriarchal air that made everyone in the room listen."
2
Describing a society, family, or system in which men hold the primary power and authority.
"The novel critiques the patriarchal structure of the household."
"Inheritance in the region traditionally followed patriarchal lines."
How to use patriarchal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "like a wise elder male leader," or, more commonly today, "run by and favouring men."
Common pairings
patriarchal society
patriarchal system
patriarchal family
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more patriarchal
- Superlative
- most patriarchal
Fill the gap
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He had a _____ air that made everyone in the room listen.
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin patriarchālis, itself formed from patriarcha and -ālis. It can also be read synchronically as patriarch plus -al.
Synonyms
View more →
patriarchial
patriarchic
Antonyms
matriarchal
Related words
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.
