# political

/pəˈɫɪtəkəɫ/ (US) · /pəlˈɪtɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/political
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. government and policy

adjective · CEFR B1

relating to the government, elections, and the way a country is run.

For teachers: relating to the government, public affairs, or the state's administrative and legislative processes.

- The two parties have very different political views on how to improve the economy.
- The candidate's political platform focused heavily on healthcare reform and environmental protections to appeal to younger voters.

### 2. power dynamics

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to the way people use power and influence within a group or organization.

For teachers: relating to the internal power structures, influence, and status within a social or professional environment.

- Getting a promotion at this company is often a political process.
- Navigating the political landscape of a large corporation requires a keen understanding of who holds the actual decision-making power.

### 3. interested in politics

adjective · CEFR B1

having a strong interest in government and social issues.

For teachers: actively engaged in or concerned with the theories and practice of politics.

- She became very political after she started university and joined several protest groups.
- The documentary aims to make the audience more political by highlighting systemic inequalities in the justice system.

### 4. biased or calculated

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

done for the purpose of gaining power or winning an election rather than for the right reasons.

For teachers: motivated by partisan interests or electoral calculation rather than principle.

- Critics said the decision to lower taxes just before the election was purely political.
- The appointment was widely seen as a political move designed to appease the more radical wing of the coalition government.

### 5. political prisoner

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a person who is put in prison because of their government-related beliefs or activities.

For teachers: a person imprisoned for their opposition to or criticism of a government.

- The international community called for the release of all politicals held by the regime.
- Human rights organisations documented the treatment of politicals held in high-security facilities without trial.

Usage: Often used in the plural or as part of the phrase 'political prisoner'.

## Examples

- The two parties have very different political views.
- The candidate decided to avoid discussing sensitive political issues during the local community festival.
- The documentary explores the complex political landscape of the region, focusing on how historical grievances continue to influence modern legislative decisions and diplomatic relations.

---

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.