provincial
/pɹɒvinʃəl̩/
Group 10Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Of or concerning the regions outside the capital city; unsophisticated or narrow-minded GRE
Example in Context
The critic dismissed the playwright's concerns as provincial, failing to recognize that the themes she explored had universal resonance.
Synonyms
small-townnarrowparochial
Etymology
Refers to something related to the provinces, often implying a lack of sophistication.
- provincia (Latin) — province
Memory Aid
🍷Sounds like “pro-vin-shall”
The PROVINCE where they only drink cheap wine and SHOUT 'SHALL we go back to the city?'
Visual Association
🏡A small, dusty town with a single gas station and a cow crossing the road — a provincial scene.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “provincial” mean on the GRE?
provincial (adjective) means “Of or concerning the regions outside the capital city; unsophisticated or narrow-minded”. The critic dismissed the playwright's concerns as provincial, failing to recognize that the themes she explored had universal resonance.
How to remember “provincial” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “provincial” sounds like “pro-vin-shall”. The PROVINCE where they only drink cheap wine and SHOUT 'SHALL we go back to the city?'
What are synonyms for “provincial”?
Common synonyms: small-town, narrow, parochial.