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
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
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
Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Sep. 2025
Sanders is a Catholic priest and former Augustinian provincial in California and lives in the Augustinian community in North Park.
—Gary Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
Accent Aigu Entertainment, which contirbuted 20% of the budget, was the producer, with Bell putting in 30%, Sphere another 20% and provincial and federal funding accounting for the rest.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for provincial
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Noun
Marlowe, the son of a poor Canterbury cobbler, and Shakespeare, the son of a Stratford glover and alderman, were both unlikely artistic geniuses, provincials in a nation in which social class was rigidly fixed.
—Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Sep. 2025
Sanders is a Catholic priest and former Augustinian provincial in California and lives in the Augustinian community in North Park.
—Gary Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
Adjective
In a city that’s simultaneously international and comically provincial, with an identity deeply intertwined with immigration, the question of who can claim the demonym makes for heated debate.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
Accent Aigu Entertainment, which contirbuted 20% of the budget, was the producer, with Bell putting in 30%, Sphere another 20% and provincial and federal funding accounting for the rest.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for provincial
Cite this Entry
“Provincial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provincial. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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 adjective1
: 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
noun
-ˌvin-chē-ˈal-ət-ē
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