tribal

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Relating to a tribe or the way of life of tribes.

   Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: tribal leaders, tribal customs.

   Patterns

   • tribal leader
   • tribal custom
   • tribal land

   The museum displays tribal art from the Amazon.

   Tribal leaders met to discuss the new law.

   She studied tribal languages in Africa.

2. 2adjectivenot comparabledisapproving

   Showing strong loyalty to your own group and hostility to outsiders.

   Grammar: Used to criticize people who only support their own group. Not usually used with 'more' or 'most'.

   Patterns

   • tribal loyalty
   • tribal politics
   • tribal mentality

   The debate became tribal, with each side refusing to listen.

   Tribal politics in the office made cooperation difficult.

   His tribal attitude meant he only trusted people from his own neighborhood.

Common combinations

tribal society

Many tribal societies have lived in this region for centuries.

tribal loyalty

Tribal loyalty can prevent people from seeing the other side's point of view.

tribal conflict

The country suffered from tribal conflict for many years.

tribal identity

She felt a strong sense of tribal identity.

Synonyms and how they differ

ethnic

Relates to a group with shared culture or nationality; 'tribal' often refers to smaller, traditional groups.

clannish

Disapproving, meaning loyal only to your own small group; 'tribal' is broader and can be neutral.

Opposites

Word family

tribe noun

A group of people, often related by family, who share customs and leaders.

tribalism noun

Strong loyalty to your own group, often with dislike of outsiders.

tribally adverb

In a way that relates to a tribe.

Commonly confused: tribal or tribunal?

Practice

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