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REFERENCE

colonial

adj. · n.
US //kəˈɫoʊniəɫ// UK //kəlˈəʊnɪəl// colo·nial
  1. 1 relating to colonies (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    connected with a country that is ruled by another country.

    relating to or characteristic of a colony or colonialism.

    Example

    The city still has many old colonial buildings from the time of British rule.

    Example

    The historian argued that colonial administrative structures often persisted long after the formal declaration of independence.

    Usage

    Often used to describe architecture, history, or government systems.
  2. 2 American historical style (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    relating to the original thirteen colonies that became the United States.

    pertaining to the period of the British colonies in North America before the American Revolution.

    Example

    We visited a colonial village to see how people lived in the 1700s.

    Example

    The museum features an extensive collection of colonial furniture, showcasing the craftsmanship of early American settlers.

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  1. 3 living in groups (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    describing animals or plants that live together in a large group or colony.

    relating to or forming a colony of organisms, such as coral or certain types of bacteria.

    Example

    Corals are colonial animals that build massive reefs over many years.

    Example

    The researchers studied the colonial behavior of the bacteria to understand how they communicate within a shared environment.
  2. 4 a person from a colony (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a person who lives in or comes from a colony.

    a person who inhabits a colony; sometimes used to refer to a settler or a subject of a colonial power.

    Example

    The old letters describe the difficult lives of the early colonials.

    Example

    The social hierarchy of the era clearly distinguished between the ruling officials and the local colonials.
  3. 5 a type of house (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    a house built in a simple, traditional style common in early America.

    a house designed in a style reminiscent of the American colonial period, typically featuring two stories and a symmetrical facade.

    Example

    They bought a beautiful white colonial with a large front porch.

    Example

    The neighborhood is famous for its well-preserved colonials, many of which date back to the late eighteenth century.

Origin

From colony + -al.

Word family

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