parenthetical

American  

[par-uhn-thet-i-kuhl] / ˌpær ənˈθɛt ɪ kəl /

Also parenthetic

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, noting, or of the nature of a parenthesis.

   several unnecessary parenthetic remarks.

2. characterized by the use of parentheses.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unparenthetical
  adjective
• parenthetically
  adverb
• parentheticalness
  noun
• interparenthetical
  adjective
• unparenthetic
  adjective
• parentheticality
  noun
• interparenthetic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of parenthetical

First recorded in 1620–30; from Greek parénthet(os) “interpolated” (verbid of parentithénai, equivalent to par- par- + en- en- ² + the-, variant stem of tithénai “to put” + -tos verbal adjective suffix) + -ic + -al ¹

Explanation

A parenthetical statement is one that explains or qualifies something. You can call such a statement a parenthetical, (especially when it's in parentheses). Have you ever said something like "I'm hungry!" and then added "...but I only want French fries"? That second statement is parenthetical: it clarifies the first statement. Just like words in parentheses (like these words) add clarity to a sentence, parenthetical words in speech help make something clearer or give extra information. You can call these statements (or words that actually are inside parentheses) parentheticals; and while parentheticals aren't the most important ideas, they help support those ideas.

Example Sentences

Half the documentary’s parenthetical title — “The Weight of the World” — speaks to a common leaden feeling of gloom hovering over America’s semiquincentennial summer.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026

He acknowledges, in a parenthetical aside, that they likely aren’t.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Even buried in a parenthetical as it is, the word “mandamus” jumps off the page as a threat to seek an extraordinary intervention by the appellate court.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 4, 2024

Later, Cyrus performed the song live for the first time, adding some parenthetical asides to the lyrics.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2024

Just then, for the first time since he had lain down, Zooey, with his eyes still shut, compressed his lips—very much, as a matter of parenthetical fact, in the habitual style of his mother.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger