parochial

[ puh-roh-kee-uhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or financially supported by one or more church parishes:

   parochial churches in Great Britain.

2. of or relating to parochial schools or the education they provide.
3. very limited or narrow in scope or outlook; provincial:

   parochial views; a parochial mentality.

parochial

/ pəˈrəʊkɪəl /

adjective

1. narrow in outlook or scope; provincial
2. of or relating to a parish or parishes

Derived Forms

• paˈrochially, adverb
• paˈrochialˌism, noun
• paˌrochiˈality, noun

Other Words From

• pa·rochi·al·ly adverb
• pa·rochi·al·ness noun
• inter·pa·rochi·al adjective
• inter·pa·rochi·al·ly adverb
• inter·pa·rochi·al·ness noun
• nonpa·rochi·al adjective
• nonpa·rochi·al·ly adverb
• semi·pa·rochi·al adjective
• unpa·rochi·al adjective
• unpa·rochi·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of parochial¹

1350–1400; late Middle English parochialle < Late Latin parochiālis ( parish, -al ¹ ); replacing Middle English parochiele < Anglo-French parochiel < Late Latin as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of parochial¹

C14: via Old French from Church Latin parochiālis; see parish

Example Sentences

It might have seemed an obscure, even parochial, battle, but America’s right wing was watching.

From Salon

And so, in a sense, the many questions posed by this showdown boil down to just one: Will the next president embrace the traditional role of a commander in chief with robust yet limited powers, with a fundamental obligation to serve the citizenry over her parochial needs, and with ultimate accountability to the people and the law?

From Slate

Even having spread his wings so wide, he insists Westminster doesn't feel parochial, describing politics as "the place to get things done", moving "from the tactical level to strategic".

From BBC

Still, in the case of such weaponry, the stakes are so high that critical decisions shouldn’t be determined by parochial politics.

From Salon

John O'Sullivan was said to have spoken to staff in a parochial house in Buncrana, County Donegal, as well as undertakers, but the court heard that no arrangements had been made for the burial of his father.

From BBC

Related Words

• insular
• petty
• sectarian