WordGarden.ioparochial
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pærˈɒkɪəl/
US
- /pərˈoʊkiəl/
Meanings
Adjective
narrowly local in outlook or limited by a small, insular perspective
relating to a church parish, especially its local administration or school
Beyond the definition
Imagine a small town where everyone knows everyone else, and they tend to think their way of doing things is the right way—that's parochial thinking. It means having a narrow focus, often relating to your own local community or group, and being unwilling to consider other viewpoints.
It isn't necessarily a bad thing! A strong sense of local pride can be positive. But when someone is too parochial, they might struggle to understand people from different backgrounds or perspectives. Think of a politician who only cares about the needs of their own district—that's often described as a parochial approach. Originally, "parochial" related to a church parish, highlighting its roots in local community life.
The word "parochial" describes something limited in scope or narrowly focused, especially concerning one's own local area, group, or interests. It stems from the word "parish," referring to a small ecclesiastical district and its church—historically, people's worlds often revolved around their immediate parish community.
While it can simply mean "relating to a particular parish" (like a parochial school run by a local church), it more commonly carries the connotation of being narrow-minded or provincial. A parochial attitude is one that prioritizes local concerns above broader issues and may be resistant to outside ideas or perspectives.
You might describe someone as having a parochial worldview if they struggle to understand cultures different from their own. Or you could say an argument is parochial if it focuses on minor details rather than the bigger picture. In academic contexts, "parochialism" can refer to a bias toward one's own school of thought or methodology.
However, "parochial" isn't always negative. A strong sense of community and local pride can be valuable. It only becomes problematic when that focus prevents open-mindedness or an understanding of the wider world. Think of it as being comfortable in your bubble—sometimes a little expansion is necessary! So, while rooted in locality, "parochial" often speaks to a limitation in perspective.
Examples
- 1
Religious school
She went to a parochial school before moving to the public high school.
- 2
Narrow viewpoint
The report criticized the committee for taking a parochial view of the problem.
- 3
Local politics
Some voters were tired of parochial concerns and wanted the debate to focus on national issues.
- 4
Business thinking
The company had become too parochial in its thinking, so it hired people with experience in other markets.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Limited perspective
It would be parochial to judge the whole industry by what happens in one small town.
See also
Similar
- narrow-minded
- insular
- provincial
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- cosmopolitan
- broad-minded
Used with (collocations)
- parochial outlook
- parochial interests
- parochial concerns
Word family
- parochialism
- parochially
Explore
- localism
- ethnocentrism
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- parochialadjective