medieval
gb/mɪdˈivəl/ us/mɪdˈivəl/
B1
English
~ 7300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
from or about the Middle Ages
About the time in European history called the Middle Ages, or in the style of that time.
Usage pattern:
medieval [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'medieval' with 'middle-aged'. 'Medieval' describes things related to the Middle Ages (a historical period), while 'middle-aged' describes a person who is around 40–60 years old. Another mistake is writing the British spelling 'mediaeval' in American English, where 'medieval' is standard.
Synonyms
from the Middle Ages (A longer descriptive phrase, used to explain the time period more clearly.)
|
medieval-style (Emphasizes style or appearance rather than actually being from that historical period.)
Antonyms
modern (Relates to recent or present times, not the distant historical past.)
|
contemporary (Stresses belonging to the present period rather than to the Middle Ages.)
Collocations
medieval castle
|medieval Europe
|medieval history
|medieval architecture
|medieval literature
|medieval church
Themes
history
|culture
|art
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The town is famous for its well-preserved medieval castle.
- She specializes in medieval history, particularly 12th-century England.
- The museum has an impressive collection of medieval manuscripts.
- Many medieval churches were built on the remains of older temples.
- The film used a real medieval village as its main location.
Learner examples
- We visited a medieval castle on our trip.
- He loves books about medieval history.
- They studied medieval art at university.
- The city has many medieval buildings.
- This museum shows life in a medieval town.
adjective
informal
B2
property
2
very old-fashioned or cruel
Very old and not modern, or very cruel, so that it feels like something from long ago.
Usage pattern:
medieval [attitude / law / practice]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'medieval' in this sense in very formal writing, where a more neutral word like 'old-fashioned' or 'outdated' would be better. Also, some learners think this sense always means 'cruel', but it can also just mean 'very old-fashioned'.
Synonyms
backward (Suggests resistance to change or progress; less strong in suggesting cruelty.)
|
barbaric (Focuses more on being extremely cruel or violent rather than just old-fashioned.)
Antonyms
progressive (Emphasizes modern, forward-thinking ideas, the opposite of old-fashioned views.)
|
enlightened (Suggests modern, informed, and fair attitudes instead of harsh, outdated ones.)
Collocations
medieval attitude
|medieval laws
|medieval mindset
|positively medieval
|almost medieval
|seems medieval
Themes
opinions
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Their ideas about marriage are absolutely medieval.
- The prisoners were kept in conditions that were frankly medieval.
- Some people still hold medieval views about mental health.
- The law is so strict it feels medieval.
- Using torture as punishment is a medieval way of thinking.
Learner examples
- He has medieval ideas about women.
- The rules at that school are almost medieval.
- Many people think this law is medieval and unfair.
- The prison was dirty and medieval.
- Her boss has a medieval attitude to work hours.
Grammar
Dictionary form
medieval
IPA
GB/mɪdˈivəl/
US/mɪdˈivəl/
Syllables & stress
me - di - ev - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (di)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: medieval
Word family
Negative and opposite forms
modern
adjective A2
Advanced or less common
medievalist
noun
medievalism
noun
Expressions
get medieval on someone
1/ɡˈɛt mɪdˈivəl ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌn/
idiom
informal
punish or attack very harshly
To treat someone in a very hard, violent, or cruel way, especially as a threat or warning.
Examples
- If they don't pay what they owe, the boss is going to get medieval on them.
- The coach got medieval on the team after their third loss in a row.
in medieval times
1/ˈɪn mɪdˈivəl tˈaɪmz/
fixed phrase
during the Middle Ages
At the time in history called the Middle Ages.
Examples
- In medieval times, most people lived in small villages.
- Medical knowledge was very limited in medieval times.