parochial
gb/pɚˈoʊkiəl/ us/pɚˈoʊkiəl/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
Narrow and limited in outlook
Too focused on a small area or your own group, and not interested in the wider world.
Usage pattern:
parochial about [something]
Common mistake:
This sense is figurative: it criticizes a narrow outlook, not just something that is physically local.
Synonyms
narrow-minded (More direct about intolerance or lack of openness.)
|
insular (Emphasizes being cut off from outside ideas.)
|
provincial (Often suggests unsophisticated or out-of-touch with culture beyond one’s area.)
Antonyms
broad-minded (Open to many ideas and perspectives.)
|
cosmopolitan (Familiar with and interested in many cultures and places.)
|
global (Concerned with the wider world rather than local issues.)
Collocations
parochial attitudes
|parochial views
|parochial outlook
|parochial mindset
|parochial concerns
|parochial interests
|parochial politics
|parochial thinking
|parochial approach
|parochial perspective
Themes
opinions
|society
|politics
|education
Examples
- The debate was dominated by parochial concerns instead of long-term national priorities.
- She criticized the company’s parochial attitude toward international customers.
- His parochial view of the issue ignored the experiences of people outside his community.
Learner examples
- Try not to be parochial when you travel.
- We need a bigger view, not a parochial one.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
Related to a parish church
Connected with a parish church and its local community.
Usage pattern:
parochial + [noun]
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse this church-related meaning with the common figurative meaning ‘narrow-minded’.
Synonyms
parish (Often used attributively (e.g., ‘parish records’); less formal than ‘parochial’.)
|
ecclesiastical (Broader: related to the church generally, not specifically to a parish.)
Antonyms
secular (Not connected with religion or the church.)
Collocations
parochial church
|parochial records
|parochial register
|parochial duties
|parochial clergy
|parochial administration
|parochial work
|parochial boundaries
|parochial services
|parochial ministry
Themes
religion
|community
Examples
- The historian spent months reading parochial records to trace local families.
- They met in the parochial hall next to the church.
- Parochial boundaries were redrawn as the population shifted.
Learner examples
- Parochial records can tell you about local history.
- The parochial hall is beside the church.
adjective
B2
property
3
Connected with church-run schooling
Connected with a religious school.
Usage pattern:
parochial + school/education
Common mistake:
In everyday use, this meaning is most often seen in the phrase ‘parochial school’.
Synonyms
religious (More general; can refer to any faith-based school.)
|
Catholic (Often the implied context in the US, but ‘parochial’ can be other denominations too.)
Antonyms
public (Not privately run by a church; funded and operated by the state.)
|
nonreligious (Has no religious affiliation.)
Collocations
parochial school
|parochial education
|parochial system
|parochial students
|parochial tuition
|parochial classroom
|parochial uniform
|parochial teacher
|parochial enrollment
|parochial curriculum
Themes
education
|religion
Examples
- He attended a parochial school through eighth grade.
- Parochial education played a big role in her childhood.
- The district works with parochial schools on transportation and safety plans.
Learner examples
- My cousin goes to a parochial school.
- Parochial schools are religious schools.
Grammar
Dictionary form
parochial
IPA
GB/pɚˈoʊkiəl/
US/pɚˈoʊkiəl/
Syllables & stress
pa - ro - chi - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pa)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: parochial
Word family
Core family
parochialism
noun
Related words
parish
noun B1
parishioner
noun
Advanced or less common
parochially
adverb
Expressions
parochial church council
1/pɚˈoʊkiəl t͡ʃˈɚt͡ʃ kˈaʊnsɪl/
fixed phrase
formal
Local governing body of a parish
A local church committee that helps run a parish church (UK).
Examples
- The Parochial Church Council approved the budget for the roof repairs.
- She was elected to the Parochial Church Council last spring.
- The vicar consulted the Parochial Church Council before changing service times.
parochial school
1/pɚˈoʊkiəl skˈul/
fixed phrase
A church-run private school
A religious private school.
Examples
- After kindergarten, she switched to a parochial school near their church.
- Parochial schools often have uniforms and a religion class.
- They chose a parochial school because class sizes were smaller.