Word
electoral
Phoneticselec·toral
US/ɪˈɫɛktɝəɫ/
UK/ɪlˈɛktəɹəl/
Definitions
01relating to elections
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. connected to the process of voting or holding an election.
adj. of or relating to the process of voting and the formal conduct of elections.
“The country is preparing for major electoral changes before the next vote.”
“The government proposed a series of electoral reforms designed to increase transparency and encourage higher voter turnout in rural districts.”
Usage
Usually placed before a noun; it is a non-gradable adjective and cannot be 'very electoral'.
02relating to electors
C1 · Advanced Law Formal · Technical
adj. relating to the specific people or groups who have the right to vote.
adj. relating to or composed of electors, often referring to a specific body of voters in a formal system.
“The electoral college meets to choose the next president.”
“The candidate focused his campaign on the specific needs of the electoral district to ensure a majority in the upcoming regional assembly.”
Teaching tip
In the US, this sense is most commonly heard in the phrase 'Electoral College'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “electoral” in context.
Verb
01. pursue electoral reform
“The opposition party has promised to pursue electoral reform if they win the next general election.”
verb + adj + noun
02. secure an electoral victory
“The coalition managed to secure a narrow electoral victory despite the plummeting approval ratings.”
verb + adj + noun
Adjective
03. purely electoral
“Critics argued that the tax cuts were a purely electoral move designed to win over undecided voters.”
adv + adj
Noun
04. electoral fraud
“International observers were deployed to the region to monitor the polls and prevent instances of electoral fraud.”
adj + noun
05. electoral mandate
“The prime minister claimed a strong electoral mandate to proceed with the controversial economic reforms.”
adj + noun
06. electoral roll
“You must ensure your name is on the electoral roll before the deadline if you wish to vote in the upcoming referendum.”
adj + noun
07. electoral system
“Many citizens are calling for a complete overhaul of the current electoral system to ensure fairer representation.”
adj + noun
08. electoral commission
09. electoral reforms
Real-World Examples
“The electoral commission said violence had "resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers".” “With the next general election due in 2027, Osun is one of the last major electoral tests before the national vote.” “Reform UK has offered to foot the bill, but that is not allowed under electoral law.” Etymology
From elector + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/electoral