Word
presidential
Phoneticspres·i·den·tial, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌpɹɛzəˈdɛnʃəɫ/
UK/pɹˌɛzɪdˈɛnʃəl/
Definitions
01related to a president
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. relating to a president or the office of a presidency.
adj. pertaining to the office, powers, or person of a president.
Español:presidencial
“The country is preparing for the upcoming presidential election in November.”
“The candidate's platform focused heavily on reforming presidential powers to ensure greater legislative oversight.”
02presiding or watching over
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
adj. having the role of watching over or protecting something.
adj. occupying a position of presiding authority or protective oversight.
“In old stories, a presidential spirit was said to guard the sacred forest.”
“The poet personified the stars as presidential watchers over the sleeping city.”
Usage
This sense is rarely found in modern prose and is almost exclusively restricted to historical or highly formal literary contexts.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “presidential” in context.
Verb
01. exercise presidential powers
“The constitution limits the extent to which a leader can exercise presidential powers during a national emergency.”
verb + adj + noun
02. seek the presidential nomination
“The senator officially announced her intention to seek the presidential nomination for her party.”
verb + adj + noun
Adjective
03. distinctly presidential
“Her calm demeanor and articulate responses made her appear distinctly presidential to the undecided voters.”
adv + adj
04. look presidential
“The candidate wore a dark suit and spoke with gravity to ensure he would look presidential during the debate.”
verb + adj
Noun
05. presidential decree
“The new environmental regulations were enacted by presidential decree rather than through a vote in parliament.”
adj + noun
06. presidential hopeful
“Several presidential hopefuls are touring the country to gain support before the primary elections begin.”
adj + noun
07. presidential library
“After leaving office, the former leader spent years raising funds to build a presidential library in his home state.”
adj + noun
08. presidential pardon
“The activist was finally released from prison after receiving a full presidential pardon on the last day of the term.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“If no presidential candidate gets more than 50% of the vote a run-off must be held within 37 days.” “The result could offer an early signal of shifting alliances and voter sentiment before the presidential race.” “She was previously a spokesperson for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, and before that she serves as national press secretary for the Republican National Committee.” “McLaughlin has been a political contributor for ABC News, and served as communications director for Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and for the short-lived presidential campaign of Vivek Ramaswamy.” Etymology
From president + -ial.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- 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/presidential
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0