structural
STRUHK-shuh-ruhl
Structural (adjective) means relating to the structure, framework, or underlying arrangement of something. Example: “The survey showed no structural problems with the house, only a leaking tap.”
adjective
1
Relating to the structure, framework, or underlying arrangement of something.
"The survey showed no structural problems with the house, only a leaking tap."
"The engineer found a structural flaw in the bridge's main support beam."
"The company needs structural changes, not just cosmetic ones."
How to use structural
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to how something is built or organized at its core.
Common pairings
structural damage
structural integrity
structural changes
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Word forms
- Plural
- structurals
- Comparative
- more structural
- Superlative
- most structural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The survey showed no _____ problems with the house, only a leaking tap.
Etymology
From structure plus the adjective-forming suffix -al, dating to the 19th century.
Class of 1800
structural joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →
systemic
organisational
foundational
architectural
load-bearing
skeletal
geomorphologic
geomorphological
morphological
morphologic
Related words
Rhymes for structural
rural
mural
plural
neural
natural
cultural
epidural
subdural
guttural
unnatural
inaugural
procedural
See all rhymes for structural →
Frequently asked questions
What does “structural” mean?
The word “structural” means relating to the structure, framework, or underlying arrangement of something. In plain terms, relating to how something is built or organized at its core.
How do you pronounce “structural”?
“Structural” is pronounced STRUHK-shuh-ruhl (/ˈstɹʌk(t͡)ʃəɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “structural” in a sentence?
Here is “structural” used in a sentence: “The engineer found a structural flaw in the bridge's main support beam.”
What part of speech is “structural”?
“Structural” is an adjective.
Where does the word “structural” come from?
The word “structural” dates back to around 1800. From structure plus the adjective-forming suffix -al, dating to the 19th century.
Is “structural” a common word?
“Structural” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between "structural" and "structured"?
"Structural" relates to the structure or framework of something, as in structural damage to a building. "Structured" means organised or arranged according to a plan, as in a structured lesson, so one describes the framework itself and the other describes deliberate organisation.
What is the difference between "structural" and "cosmetic"?
"Structural" refers to the underlying framework that holds something together, so structural damage affects stability. "Cosmetic" refers to surface appearance only, so a cosmetic crack looks bad but does not threaten the structure.
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