“Colonial” relates to colonies or the period when one country controls and settles another region. It can describe political systems, architecture, attitudes, or historical times connected to colonization.
It comes from Latin “colonia” (settlement or farm) via “colony,” with the adjective‑forming suffix “-al.” The root “colere” means “to cultivate or inhabit.”
The word began with simple farming—“colonia” was a settlement of cultivators—but grew into a label for global power and control. Today “colonial” can describe charming buildings or deeply harmful systems, depending on context.
'Colonial' refers to systems and periods of colonization that often enforced patriarchal laws, restricted women’s rights, and imposed European gender norms on colonized societies. Colonial discourse frequently erased Indigenous women’s political, economic, and intellectual roles.
Use 'colonial' with historical precision and awareness of power dynamics; avoid romanticizing 'colonial' styles or eras without acknowledging the harms of colonization, including gendered violence.
["imperial-era","settler-era","historical","pre-independence"]
Women in colonized societies—often Indigenous and Afro-descendant—organized resistance, preserved languages and knowledge, and led anti-colonial movements, yet their contributions are underrepresented in mainstream histories.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.