What does "colonial" mean?
A person from a country that is or was controlled by another.
Colonial
/kɵˈlon(ɪ)jəl/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A person from a country that is or was controlled by another.
- Grammar: colonial is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: american war for independence, bengal, civil service in colonies, colonial era.
- Useful contrasts: independent, independent nation, indigenous.
- Usage evidence: He dates the custom from the colonial days.
How to use "colonial"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "colonial" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "colonial" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "colonial" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "colonial" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "colonial" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "american war for independence" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "colonial", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A person from a country that is or was controlled by another.
"None of them are, so to speak, idle men. Many of them are emigrants, not of the soil born and bred colonials."
- 2 a resident of a colony wordnet
- 3 A house that is built in a style reminiscent of the period of the colonization of New England. US
Adjective
- 1 Of or pertaining to a colony.
- 2 Of or pertaining to a period when a country or territory was a colony.
"From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonely nights on the high seas, the delights of the B52 Night Club and Stallion Pub lie a stumble away."
- 3 Of or pertaining to the ideals of colonialism.
- 4 Of or relating to the original Thirteen Colonies of the USA. US
- 5 Of or relating to the style of architecture prevalent at about the time of the Revolution. US
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Tending to form colonies (especially of cells).
Adjective
- 1 composed of many distinct individuals united to form a whole or colony wordnet
- 2 of or relating to or characteristic of or inhabiting a colony wordnet
- 3 of animals who live in colonies, such as ants wordnet
Synonyms
All synonyms american war for independencebengalcivil service in coloniescolonial eracolonial era revoltcolonial government act
Antonyms
Example
"He dates the custom from the colonial days."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "colonial"?
Common synonyms include: american war for independence, bengal, civil service in colonies, colonial era, colonial era revolt, colonial government act.
How do you use "colonial" in a sentence?
He dates the custom from the colonial days.
How do you pronounce "colonial"?
Pronounced /kɵˈlon(ɪ)jəl/.
Etymology
From colony + -al.