Daily Word Box

Install Daily Word Box: tap Share, then Add to Home Screen.

Word

colonial

adjective C1
UK /kəˈləʊ.ni.əl/
US /kəˈloʊ.njəl/

Meanings

adjective

Relating to colonies or to the rule of one country over another territory, especially in the past.

colonial: Relating to colonies or to the rule of one country over another territory, especially in the past.
adjective

Relating to the early period of settlement and government in a colony (often used in the history of North America).

colonial: Relating to the early period of settlement and government in a colony (often used in the history of North America).
adjective

Made in a style typical of colonial times, especially in architecture or interior design.

colonial: Made in a style typical of colonial times, especially in architecture or interior design.

Definition

Related to the period when one country controlled and settled another territory.

Colonial describes something connected to a colony or to the era when powerful countries governed overseas territories. It often refers to politics, architecture, institutions, or attitudes shaped by that history. Depending on context, it can be neutral (historical description) or critical (highlighting unequal power).

Examples

  • The museum’s exhibition explores how colonial administration reshaped local education and law.
  • I found the town’s colonial architecture striking, especially the evenly spaced windows and formal gardens.
  • You can’t understand the border dispute without looking at the colonial maps that first divided the region.
  • She argued that the novel repeats colonial stereotypes, even though it claims to be historically accurate.
  • They visited a colonial-era fort on the coast and listened to a guide explain its strategic role.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes use colonial when they mean colonized (the territory) or colonizing (the power), so choose the adjective that matches your focus.

More at C1 level

More adjectives