VocabDictionary

parochial

/pəˈrəʊkɪəl/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Relating to a church parish.

Example Sentences:
  • The parochial council met monthly to discuss the church's finances and community outreach.
  • Many children in the village attended the local parochial school, which was run by the diocese.
2.adjective

Having a limited or narrow outlook or scope; provincial.

Example Sentences:
  • Her parochial views prevented her from understanding the complexities of international politics.
  • The small town was known for its somewhat parochial attitudes towards outsiders and new ideas.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “parochial”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

From Late Latin *parochialis* 'of a parish', from *parochia* 'a parish', from Greek *paroikia* 'a sojourning, a dwelling abroad', from *par-oikos* 'dwelling beside, neighboring', also 'stranger, foreigner'. The sense of 'limited in scope' developed from the idea of being confined to the affairs of a local parish.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think 'parish' + 'social'. If your social life is confined only to your local parish, your views might become very limited or narrow.

Frequently Asked Questions About “parochial

1. What is the meaning of “parochial” in English?

In English, parochial (adjective) is defined as: “Relating to a church parish.”.

2. How do you use “parochial” in a sentence?

The parochial council met monthly to discuss the church's finances and community outreach.

3. What are English synonyms of “parochial”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “parochial”?

From Late Latin *parochialis* 'of a parish', from *parochia* 'a parish', from Greek *paroikia* 'a sojourning, a dwelling abroad', from *par-oikos* 'dwelling beside, neighboring', also 'stranger, foreigner'. The sense of 'limited in scope' developed from the idea of being confined to the affairs of a local parish.