# postcolonial

CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/postcolonial
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

describing the time after a country has gained independence from a more powerful nation that used to control it. It also refers to the lasting effects that being ruled by another country has on a culture.

For teachers: relating to the period following the end of colonial rule, or to the cultural and political legacy of colonialism. Often used to describe academic theories that analyse the power dynamics between former colonisers and the colonised.

## Examples

- The professor teaches a course on postcolonial literature.
- Many postcolonial nations continue to struggle with the administrative borders and legal systems left behind by European powers.
- Scholars in postcolonial studies examine how the psychological impact of imperial rule persists in the language and social hierarchies of societies long after they have achieved formal political sovereignty.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun; often appears in academic or political contexts.

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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.