Reading Theme:
Political Definition, Examples, and Common Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：relating to government (political)
political
/pəˈlɪtɪkəl/
adj.
Related to the government, the state, or public affairs, especially how a country is run.
relating to government
➕
/rɪˈleɪtɪŋ tə ˈɡʌvərnmənt/
adj.
Describing matters that involve the government, state, or public administration, often focusing on how power is exercised and decisions are made.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Greek 'politikos' (of citizens), from 'polis' (city-state).
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'poli' (many) + 'tic' (tick) — many ticks on a ballot for public issues.
📖 Example
The main political issue in the election is how to change the tax rate.
The main political issue in the election is how to change the tax rate.
🔗 Collocations
political party – an organized group of people with similar political aims
political system – the set of formal legal institutions that constitute a government
political campaign – an organized effort to secure a political office or achieve a goal
🔄 Synonyms
governmental (adj.) – relating to the government
civic (adj.) – relating to a city or citizens, especially in the context of government
public (adj.) – concerning the people as a whole; of the state
🚫 Antonyms
private (adj.) – belonging to an individual, not the state
nonpolitical (adj.) – not involved or interested in politics
🌱 Derivatives
politically (adv.) – in a political way
politician (n.) – a person involved in politics
politicize (v.) – to make political
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'political' derives from the Greek 'politikos', meaning 'of, for, or relating to citizens'. It entered English via Latin 'politicus'. In ancient Greece, politics was the art of governing the polis.
Meaning 2：involving power struggles within a group (political)
political
/pəˈlɪtɪkəl/
adj.
Involving groups of people who have different ideas or goals, and the ways they try to get power or advantages.
involving power struggles within a group
➕
/ɪnˈvɑːlvɪŋ ˈpaʊər ˌstrʌɡəlz wɪðɪn ə ɡruːp/
adj.
Describing situations where individuals or groups engage in strategic alliances, negotiations, or conflicts to gain influence or achieve their goals, similar to political behavior in government but in non-governmental contexts.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
My family's dinner discussion about which movie to watch became quite political, with everyone forming alliances to support their favorite choice.
My family's dinner discussion about which movie to watch became quite political, with everyone forming alliances to support their favorite choice.
🔗 Collocations
office politics – the use of influence and power games among colleagues in a workplace
political maneuvering – the use of tactics and strategy to gain an advantage
political intrigue – secret plotting or scheming to achieve political ends
🔄 Synonyms
strategic (adj.) – relating to the identification of long-term goals and the means to achieve them
partisan (adj.) – prejudiced in favor of a particular cause, often involving conflict
manipulative (adj.) – exercising unscrupulous control or influence over a person or situation
🚫 Antonyms
straightforward (adj.) – direct and honest, without hidden agendas
apolitical (adj.) – not interested or involved in politics or power struggles
🌱 Derivatives
politically (adv.) – in a political way
politician (n.) – a person involved in politics
politicize (v.) – to make political
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