# pastoral

/ˈpæstɝəɫ/ (US) · /pˈɑːstəɹəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pastoral
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. rural and peaceful

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

describing a beautiful, peaceful country scene, often with farm animals like sheep.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. spiritual or emotional care

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

relating to the work of a priest or teacher in looking after the personal needs of their people.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. a rural poem or song

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Technical

a piece of writing, music, or art that shows a simple and peaceful country life.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. an official church letter

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

an official letter from a bishop or church leader to the people in their area.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The village has a quiet, pastoral charm.
- The artist painted a pastoral scene with sheep grazing in the green hills.
- The novel offers a pastoral escape from the noise of the city, celebrating the timeless rhythms of rural life.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.