parenthetical

[ par-uhn-thet-i-kuhl ]

adjective

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

   several unnecessary parenthetic remarks.

2. characterized by the use of parentheses.

Other Words From

• par·en·thet·i·cal·i·ty [par-, uh, n-thet-i-, kal, -i-tee], par·en·thet·i·cal·ness noun
• par·en·thet·i·cal·ly adverb
• in·ter·par·en·thet·ic adjective
• in·ter·par·en·thet·i·cal adjective
• un·par·en·thet·ic adjective
• un·par·en·thet·i·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of parenthetical¹

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

Example Sentences

However the legal profession handles the issue, Baude said the remedy is not “tossing in some parentheticals.”

From Washington Post

That was just a parenthetical in a discussion of how, in general, people who can afford to save often don’t save as much partly because they don’t anticipate how much their savings will compound.

From Nautilus

[parenthetical in original] This was in a little document called the Road Map to Peace.

From The Daily Beast

The task for Muslims, I believe, is to rid our community of these parenthetical phrases.

From The Daily Beast

The problem emerges with parenthetical phrases that are now inserted into the translation.

From The Daily Beast

Asused here in its demonstrative meaning, to introduce a parenthetical clause.

From Project Gutenberg

The times are changed, now most readers require parenthetical elucidation after each name except that of Chopin.

From Project Gutenberg

These transitions also serve another purpose, namely, to indicate an interpolated or parenthetical idea.

From Project Gutenberg

This passage contains the striking addition of the parenthetical explanation .

From Project Gutenberg

"Commonly called rullochs," put in Mr. Bouncer, as a parenthetical correction, or marginal note on Mr. Verdant Green's words.

From Project Gutenberg