adjective

colonial

kuh-LOH-nee-uhl

adjective

Relating to a colony, or to the era when a territory was ruled as one.

"The museum has an exhibit on colonial-era trade routes."

"Colonial architecture in the town still reflects the styles brought over by early settlers."

How to Use Colonial

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribing anything to do with colonies — the places, the era, or the politics of ruling them.

Common pairings

colonial era colonial rule colonial architecture

more colonial comparative, colonials plural, most colonial superlative

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The museum has an exhibit on _____-era trade routes.

From colony plus the adjective suffix -al.

dial vial trial aerial serial filial denial medial racial social burial facial