political
puh-LIHT-ih-kuhl
Political (adj) means relating to government, politics, or the exercise of public power. Example: “The scandal had serious political consequences for the party.”
adj
1
Relating to government, politics, or the exercise of public power.
"The scandal had serious political consequences for the party."
"She has strong political opinions but rarely shares them at work."
"Voting is an important political right in many countries."
2
Motivated by internal power struggles rather than genuine merit.
"The promotion felt more political than deserved."
"Everyone knew the decision was political rather than based on skill."
"Office gossip and political games made the team unhappy."
How to use political
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to government and public affairs, or to internal power games.
Common pairings
political party
political career
get political
political correctness
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Word forms
- Plural
- politicals
- Comparative
- more political
- Superlative
- most political
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The scandal had serious _____ consequences for the party.
Etymology
Formed from politic and -al.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonpolitical
non-political
Related words
Rhymes for political
See all rhymes for political →Frequently asked questions
What does “political” mean?
The word “political” means relating to government, politics, or the exercise of public power. In plain terms, relating to government and public affairs, or to internal power games.
How do you pronounce “political”?
“Political” is pronounced puh-LIHT-ih-kuhl (/pəˈlɪt.ɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “political” in a sentence?
Here is “political” used in a sentence: “The scandal had serious political consequences for the party.”
What is another word for “political”?
Words with a similar meaning to “political” include politic.
What is the opposite of “political”?
The opposite of “political” — its antonyms — are nonpolitical and non-political.
What part of speech is “political”?
“Political” is an adjective.
Is “political” a common word?
“Political” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “political” have?
“Political” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to government, politics, or the exercise of public power.
What is the difference between political and politics?
Politics is the noun — the activities, debates, and systems through which people govern and share power. Political is the adjective that describes anything relating to those activities, such as a political party or a political decision. In short, politics is the thing itself, while political describes something connected to it.
What is an example of something political?
Elections, government budgets, new laws, and party campaigns are clearly political, because they involve government and the exercise of public power. So are debates over taxes, immigration, or healthcare policy. Even a workplace or club can be called political when people compete for influence and control within it.
Can something be non-political?
Yes. A subject is non-political when it has no real connection to government, parties, or public power — such as the weather, a maths formula, or a family recipe. That said, almost any topic can become political once people start arguing over how it should be governed, funded, or regulated.
Is 'political' a positive or negative word?
It is neutral in itself, simply meaning 'relating to politics or government.' Context sets the tone. Calling someone politically engaged can be praise, while saying a decision was 'just political' often implies it was self-serving rather than principled. The word takes its colour from how and where it is used.
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