adj

provincial

pruh-VIHN-shuhl

adj

Relating to or typical of a province, especially a region outside the capital or main city.

"The provincial government controls its own budget for schools and roads."

"She grew up in a small provincial town before moving to the capital."

Narrow-minded or unsophisticated, as if shaped by a limited, small-town outlook.

"His provincial attitudes seemed out of place at the international conference."

"Critics dismissed the film as provincial and out of touch with modern tastes."

noun

Someone from a province, especially one seen as unsophisticated compared to city dwellers.

"The city folk looked down on the provincials who came to visit."

How to Use Provincial

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither "relating to a province/region" (neutral) or "small-minded, unsophisticated" (a bit insulting), depending on context.

Common mistake

The negative sense (narrow-minded) can sound snobbish — use carefully when describing people or places.

Common pairings

provincial government provincial town provincial attitude

more provincial comparative, provincials plural, most provincial superlative

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The _____ government controls its own budget for schools and roads.

From Old French provincial, from Latin provincialis, "belonging to a province" — built from provincia plus the adjective ending -ial.

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