provincialism

[ pruh-vin-shuh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. narrowness of mind, ignorance, or the like, considered as resulting from lack of exposure to cultural or intellectual activity.
2. a trait, habit of thought, etc., characteristic of a provincial, a province, or the provinces.
3. a word, expression, or mode of pronunciation peculiar to a province.
4. devotion to one's own province before the nation as a whole.

provincialism

/ prəˈvɪnʃəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. narrowness of mind or outlook; lack of sophistication
2. a word or attitude characteristic of a provincial
3. attention to the affairs of one's province rather than the whole nation
4. the state or quality of being provincial

Word History and Origins

Origin of provincialism¹

First recorded in 1760–70; provincial + -ism

Example Sentences

It encourages provincialism, a focus on the local rather than national interest.

From The Daily Beast

No speechifying, no debates, no scolding of American provincialism, just a welcome view of what the rest of the world is reading.

From The Daily Beast

But insularity or provincialism in the literary community, he said, is nothing to sneer at.

From The Daily Beast

Suchet, an ardent student of human nature, was quick to appreciate how to turn to his use this provincialism.

From Project Gutenberg

This shows the worst kind of provincialism and a vulgar spirit.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon the embers of provincialism he heaped the inflammable brush-wood of excited rhetoric.

From Project Gutenberg

Travelling takes away provincialism because it broadens the outlook.

From Project Gutenberg

Britain, notwithstanding her series of illustrious names, had not yet quite shaken off an air of provincialism.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accent
• idiom
• jargon
• language
• lingo
• patois
• pronunciation
• slang
• terminology
• tongue
• vernacular
• vocabulary