provincial

1 of 2

noun

pro·​vin·​cial prə-ˈvin(t)-shəl How to pronounce provincial (audio)
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

provincial

2 of 2

adjective

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
provincially adverb

Examples of provincial in a Sentence

Noun the confidence man figured that fleecing these provincials would be easy Adjective She speaks with a provincial accent. an artist who has been criticized for being provincial and old-fashioned His provincial attitude was a source of irritation for her. She is too provincial to try foreign foods.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Sanders is a Catholic priest and former Augustinian provincial in California and lives in the Augustinian community in North Park. Gary Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025 The same year, he was appointed as a provincial for the order. Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
However, the identity of the animal that left the fossils has remained a mystery, even as it [was] declared BC’s provincial fossil in 2023. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 23 May 2025 One person recently retired after 25 years at a provincial phone company. Karen Fonseth, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for provincial

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of provincial was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Provincial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provincial. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

provincial

1 of 2 noun
pro·​vin·​cial prə-ˈvin-chəl How to pronounce provincial (audio)
1
: a person living in or coming from a province
2
: a provincial person

provincial

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or coming from a province
2
a
: limited in outlook : narrow
b
: lacking the ways and manners of city people
3
: of or relating to a style (as in furniture) marked by simple design and plain decoration
a French provincial table
provinciality
-ˌvin-chē-ˈal-ət-ē
noun
provincially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on provincial

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