Tribal Meaning: Relating to a Tribe with Examples

Meaning 1：relating to a tribe (tribal)

tribal 🔊

/ˈtraɪbəl/

adj.

connected to or typical of a tribe, showing strong loyalty to your own social group.

Tribal people dancing in traditional attire around bonfire

relating to a tribe 🔊

➕

/rɪˈleɪtɪŋ tə ə traɪb/

adj.

Connected to or characteristic of a tribe; often implies strong group loyalty and shared culture.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Root 'tribe' (from Latin 'tribus') + suffix '-al' meaning 'pertaining to'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'tribe' + 'al' = relating to a tribe. Imagine a tribal dance around a fire.

📖 Example

At the global music festival, her tribal jewelry and traditional dress told a story of her heritage. 🔊 At the global music festival, her tribal jewelry and traditional dress told a story of her heritage.

🔗 Collocations

tribal customs – Customs specific to a tribe

tribal loyalty – Loyalty to one's tribe

tribal warfare – Conflict between tribes

🔄 Synonyms

ethnic (adj.) – Relating to a population subgroup with a common cultural background

clan-based (adj.) – Organized by clans

indigenous (adj.) – Native to a region

🚫 Antonyms

universal (adj.) – Relating to all people

global (adj.) – Worldwide

🌱 Derivatives

tribally (adv.) – In a way that relates to a tribe

tribalism (n.) – The state of being organized in or loyalty to a tribe

tribalist (n.) – A person who supports tribalism

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin 'tribus' (a division of the Roman people), which may derive from 'tres' (three) referring to the three original tribes of Rome.