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.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert Wessels announced that he would rank Jonathan Bush second.
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
Election watchers say it could still be a few more days before tight races are called, including the California gubernatorial and L.A. mayoral primaries.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
With around two-thirds of votes counted, Trump-backed Republican Steve Hilton leads the tally in the state's gubernatorial primary, followed closely by Democrat Xavier Becerra, with another Democrat, Tom Steyer, a few percentage points behind.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Hodges’ chief political foe at this time was an outspoken segregationist named I. Beverly Lake, an assistant state attorney general, who, it was rumored, planned to oppose Hodges in the 1956 gubernatorial race.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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.
