parochial

What does “parochial” mean?

adjective.having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.

SAT Usage

the term often appears in passages discussing social issues, education, or cultural perspectives, emphasizing a limited worldview or insular thinking. It implies a critique of narrow-mindedness, distinguishing it from similar words like "provincial," which can also refer to limited perspectives but may not carry the same connotation of being overly focused on local concerns at the expense of broader understanding.

Common Confusions

Parochial implies a focus on local or narrow concerns, while provincial usually suggests a limited perspective that may extend beyond local issues but still lacks a broader worldview.

Example Sentences

• His parochial views prevented him from understanding global issues.

• His parochial view ignored the rest of the world.