First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1provincial
noun pro·vin·cial \prə-ˈvin(t)-shəl\
: a person who lives in or comes from a place that is far away from large cities
Full Definition of PROVINCIAL
1
: the superior of a province of a Roman Catholic religious order
2
: one living in or coming from a province
3
a : a person of local or restricted interests or outlook b : a person lacking urban polish or refinement
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Origin of PROVINCIAL
in sense 1, from Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin provincialis, from provincia ecclesiastical province; in other senses, from Latin provincialis, from provincia province
Related to PROVINCIAL
- Synonyms
- bumpkin, chawbacon, churl, clodhopper, cornball, countryman, hayseed, hillbilly, hick, rube, rustic, yokel
- Antonyms
- cosmopolitan, cosmopolite, sophisticate
2provincial
adjective
: of, relating to, or coming from a province
: not knowing or caring about people and events in other places : having narrow or limited concerns or interests
Full Definition of PROVINCIAL
1
: of, relating to, or coming from a province
2
a : limited in outlook : narrow b : lacking the polish of urban society : unsophisticated
3
: of or relating to a decorative style (as in furniture) marked by simplicity, informality, and relative plainness; especially : french provincial
— pro·vin·cial·ly \-ˈvin(t)-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb
See provincial defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PROVINCIAL
14th century
Related to PROVINCIAL
- Synonyms
- illiberal, insular, Lilliputian, little, narrow-minded, parochial, petty, picayune, narrow, sectarian, small, small-minded
- Antonyms
- broad-minded, catholic, cosmopolitan, liberal, open, open-minded, receptive, tolerant
PROVINCIAL Defined for Kids
provincial
adjective pro·vin·cial \prə-ˈvin-shəl\
Definition of PROVINCIAL for Kids
1
: of, relating to, or coming from a province
2
: lacking in social graces or sophistication
3
: having narrow or limited concerns or interests
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