parochial

[puh-roh-kee-uhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or financially supported by one or more church parishes.

   parochial churches in Great Britain.

2. of or relating to parochial schools or the education they provide.

3. very limited or narrow in scope or outlook; provincial.

   parochial views; a parochial mentality.

parochial

/ pəˈrəʊkɪəl /

adjective

1. narrow in outlook or scope; provincial

2. of or relating to a parish or parishes

Other Word Forms

• parochially adverb
• parochialness noun
• interparochial adjective
• interparochially adverb
• interparochialness noun
• nonparochial adjective
• nonparochially adverb
• semiparochial adjective
• unparochial adjective
• unparochially adverb
• parochialism noun
• parochiality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of parochial¹

1350–1400; late Middle English parochialle < Late Latin parochiālis ( parish, -al ¹ ); replacing Middle English parochiele < Anglo-French parochiel < Late Latin as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of parochial¹

C14: via Old French from Church Latin parochiālis; see _parish

Example Sentences

Moments later, he says that “it’s the defense of universal values that will hold the country together, and the emphasis on parochial or group values that will break it apart inevitably.”

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“The parents who have the means will leave for private and parochial schools,” she said.

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Health care policy in 2025 isn’t just a parochial “kitchen table issue.”

Read more on Salon

Orange County’s new sophistication ought to be above rivalry, but a touch of parochial defensiveness remains.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Instead it said "most gangs in the Caribbean" were "typically parochial, and focused instead on protecting their territory".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• insular 
• petty 
• sectarian