American English

How to pronounce governmental

adjectiveB2
guhvernMEHNddl

/ˌgə.vɚnˈmɛn.ɾl̩/

4 syllables · Stress the third syllable.

Relating to a government or its work.

What to listen for

Governmental is often pronounced with the main emphasis on the middle part (/ˌgə.vɚnˈmɛn.ɾl̩/). You may also hear it with the main emphasis at the beginning (/ˈgə.vɚˌmɛn.ɾl̩/).

Usual pronunciation/ˌgə.vɚnˈmɛn.ɾl̩/
Alternative pronunciation/ˈgə.vɚˌmɛn.ɾl̩/
Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

adjectiveformal

Relating to a government or its work.

The report examines governmental policy.

They work for a governmental agency.

Good to know

Governmental is more formal than government when it comes before a noun. In everyday English, government policy is often more natural than governmental policy.

Common phrases & grammar

governmental agency · governmental policy · governmental spending · governmental officials

governmental + noun

Related words & forms

governmentnoun: the group that controls a country or areagovernverb: to control or manage a country or areagovernornoun: a person who leads a state or region