provincial

1 of 2

noun

pro·​vin·​cial prə-ˈvin(t)-shəl 

1

: the superior of a province of a Roman Catholic religious order

2

: one living in or coming from a province

3

a

: a person of local or restricted interests or outlook

b

: a person lacking urban polish or refinement

provincial

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or coming from a province

2

a

: limited in outlook : narrow

b

: lacking the polish of urban society : unsophisticated

3

: of or relating to a decorative style (as in furniture) marked by simplicity, informality, and relative plainness

especially : french provincial

provincially

prə-ˈvin(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of provincial

Noun

• peasant
• hick
• rustic
• yokel
• clown
• hayseed
• bumpkin
• rube

Adjective

• parochial
• small
• petty
• narrow

Examples of provincial in a Sentence

Noun

the confidence man figured that fleecing these provincials would be easy

Adjective

She speaks with a provincial accent.

an artist who has been criticized for being provincial and old-fashioned

His provincial attitude was a source of irritation for her.

She is too provincial to try foreign foods.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The same year, he was appointed as a provincial for the order. — Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025

This removed one of the last obstacles preventing poor provincials from governing the empire. — Jeffrey E. Schulman / Made By History, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024

Adjective

There’s been something sinister afoot in provincial France in recent years. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 June 2026

Online databases, provincial vital records offices, and archives help reconstruct the family chain. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

in sense 1, from Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin provincialis, from provincia ecclesiastical province; in other senses, from Latin provincialis, from provincia province

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing provincial

• French provincial
• inter-provincial

Rhymes for provincial

• interprovincial

Kids Definition

provincial

1 of 2 noun

pro·​vin·​cial prə-ˈvin-chəl 

1

: a person living in or coming from a province

2

: a provincial person

provincial

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or coming from a province

2

a

: limited in outlook : narrow

b

: lacking the ways and manners of city people

3

: of or relating to a style (as in furniture) marked by simple design and plain decoration

a French provincial table

provinciality

-ˌvin-chē-ˈal-ət-ē

noun

provincially

-ˈvinch-(ə-)lē 

adverb