gubernatorial
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does gubernatorial mean? Gubernatorial is an adjective used to refer to things related to a state governor in the United States. The word governor can mean different things in different places, but gubernatorial is primarily used in the U. S., where a governor is the executive head of a state. Gubernatorial is the adjective form of governor in the same way that presidential is the adjective form of president. And it’s used in all the same ways, especially in phrases like gubernatorial duties, gubernatorial debate, and gubernatorial race. Example: It might not be as exciting as the presidential debate, but it’s still important to watch the gubernatorial debate.
Etymology
Origin of gubernatorial
1725–35, < Latin gubernātōr- (stem of gubernātor ) steersman, governor + -ial
Explanation
Anything gubernatorial has to go with governors, the same way that anything "presidential" has to do with presidents. A governor is the elected leader of a state in America, and anything gubernatorial has to do with governors and their governing. There are gubernatorial debates and gubernatorial elections. If elected, the governor has many gubernatorial duties to carry out in the gubernatorial mansion. And if a candidate acts out of line, you could say "That's not very gubernatorial" — meaning they’re not acting like a governor should.
Vocabulary lists containing gubernatorial
One Nation, Under Vocabulary: Political Parlance
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Three Keys
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Talking About the Election Results? Ten Words from Today's News Can Help
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He often appeared relaxed during the gubernatorial debates, at points even complimenting or joking with his rivals as they parried on stage.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
This spring, Democratic gubernatorial candidates Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson and Hannah Pingree announced that they would rank each other on their ballots and encouraged supporters to do the same.
From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026
Steve Hilton faces long odds in November, political analysts say, even if he emerges from the Golden State’s gubernatorial primary.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
The contest has become the most expensive California gubernatorial race on record, with immense ad spending by Steyer and Silicon Valley support for another Democratic candidate, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
And so when Federalist leaders from New York approached him as a prospective candidate for the gubernatorial race, he indicated a willingness to switch party affiliations and run in his home state as a Federalist.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
