adj

custodial

kuhs-TOH-dee-uhl

adj

Relating to the legal care and guardianship of someone, especially a child.

"The court granted her custodial rights over the children."

Relating to cleaning or maintenance work.

"The building's custodial staff work overnight."

Relating to being held in custody or detention.

"He was given a custodial sentence rather than a fine."

How to Use Custodial

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo do with guardianship, cleaning staff, or imprisonment, depending on context.

Common pairings

custodial parent custodial staff custodial sentence

more custodial comparative, most custodial superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The court granted her _____ rights over the children.

From custody + the adjective-forming suffix -al.

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