Word
pastoral
Phoneticspas·toral
US/ˈpæstɝəɫ/
UK/pˈɑːstəɹəl/
Definitions
01rural and peaceful
C1 · Advanced Literary
adj. describing a beautiful, peaceful country scene, often with farm animals like sheep.
adj. relating to the countryside or to the lives of people who live there, especially in an idealized or romanticized way.
“The painting showed a pastoral scene of sheep grazing on a green hill.”
“The poet spent his later years in a pastoral retreat, finding inspiration in the rhythmic simplicity of the agricultural seasons.”
Antonyms
02spiritual or emotional care
C1 · Advanced Religion Formal
adj. relating to the work of a priest or teacher in looking after the personal needs of their people.
adj. concerning the spiritual or emotional care and guidance provided by a religious leader or an educator to their community.
“The school provides excellent pastoral care to help students with their personal problems.”
“The bishop's pastoral visit focused on providing emotional support to the families affected by the recent floods.”
Synonyms
03a rural poem or song
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Music Literary · Technical
n. a piece of writing, music, or art that shows a simple and peaceful country life.
n. a literary or musical work portraying or evoking the life of shepherds or the quietude of the country.
“The composer wrote a beautiful pastoral for the flute and piano.”
“The collection includes several pastorals that contrast the innocence of the shepherd's life with the corruption of the royal court.”
Synonyms
04an official church letter
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Religion Formal · Technical
n. an official letter from a bishop or church leader to the people in their area.
n. an official letter or message addressed by a bishop to the clergy or laity of a diocese.
“The priest read the bishop's pastoral to the congregation during the Sunday service.”
“The latest pastoral from the House of Bishops addresses the ethical implications of new medical technologies.”
Real-World Examples
“Purevraqchaa Mongolia’s rangelands may appear open, but they support ecosystems and pastoral livelihoods, underscoring why the location of renewable-energy projects matters.” “These relationships point to extensive contact and exchange among prehistoric farming and pastoral communities across a wide geographic area.” Etymology
From Middle French, Old French pastoral, from Latin pāstōrālis, from pāstor (“shepherd”), + adjective suffix -ālis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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