Word
provincial
Phoneticspro·vin·cial, stress on the second syllable
US/pɹəˈvɪnʃəɫ/
UK/pɹəvˈɪnʃəl/
Definitions
01regional
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. related to a province or a specific area of a country rather than the capital city.
adj. pertaining to a province or an administrative subdivision of a country; often used to distinguish regional matters from national or metropolitan ones.
“The provincial government announced new funding for local schools and parks.”
“The candidate focused her campaign on provincial issues, promising to address the specific economic concerns of the rural districts.”
Synonyms
02religious leader
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Religion Formal · Technical
n. a high-ranking member of a religious group who is in charge of a specific area.
n. a monastic superior who has the direction of all the religious houses of an order within a specific district.
“The provincial visited each monastery in the region once a year.”
“After years of service, he was appointed provincial of the Jesuit order in North America.”
Usage
Usually capitalized when used as a title.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “provincial” in context.
Adjective
01. provincial government
“The provincial government is responsible for managing the region's healthcare and education systems.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“But locals worry that greater care will be paid to major provincial capitals like Pereira and Cali, as opposed to areas with higher levels of poverty, like their city.” “Regional, provincial, and municipal authorities have begun publicising observation points across the country which will not only have good viewing, but will also be able to accommodate visitors.” Etymology
From Middle English provincial, from Old French provincial, from Latin prōvinciālis (“of a province”), equivalent to province + -ial.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
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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