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.

---

Other Word Forms

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

Parenthetical questions throughout the song represent the artist arguing with himself.

From Salon • Aug. 30, 2024

Parenthetical citation: Cite the source of your quotation with a correct parenthetical citation.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

When energising objects men pursue," is headed, "Parenthetical Address.

From Byron's Poetical Works, Volume 1 by Coleridge, Ernest Hartley

Parenthetical Roman numerals do not correspond to the editor’s section headings, but the text summary is generally similar to the appropriate headnote.

From Early English Alliterative Poems in the West-Midland Dialect of the Fourteenth Century by Morris, Richard

The Parenthetical Address appeared in the Morning Chronicle for October 23, 1812.

From The Works of Lord Byron: Letters and Journals. Vol. 2 by Prothero, Rowland E. (Rowland Edmund), Baron Ernle