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

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

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

Adjective

The agency reported at least 23 people dead and five missing in West Sumatra province as rescuers recovered more bodies on Thursday, including the bodies of six people who drowned in floods in Lumin Park, a residential area in the provincial capital of Padang. —Arkansas Online, 28 Nov. 2025

Massimo Bortoluzzi, provincial transport councillor, said uncertainty over the cable car project and delays in preparing the collection points for spectators heading to the events have prompted a preliminary 15% cut in initial spectator estimates of 200,000. —Reuters 6 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025

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