Standard Lemma guide

postcolonial

adj · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Following the end of colonial rule.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • In the postcolonial period, democracy alternated with military rule.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Of or pertaining to postcolonialism.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Topics: human-sciences, philosophy, sciences

Examples

  • a postcolonial theory of esthetics

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A person living in a postcolonial society.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *pós Proto-Indo-European *-ti Proto-Indo-European *pósti Proto-Italic *posti Old Latin poste Latin post English post- Proto-Indo-European *kwelh1- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *kwélh1eti Proto-Italic *kwelō Latin colō Latin colōnus Proto-Indo-European *-(i)yós Proto-Italic *-ijos Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -ia Latin colōniader. Middle English colane English colony Proto-Indo-European *h2el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English colonial English postcolonial From post- + colonial.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: postkolonia — following the end of colonial rule
  • German: postkolonial — following the end of colonial rule
  • Hindi: उत्तर औपनिवेशिक (uttar aupniveśik) — following the end of colonial rule
  • Indonesian: pascakolonial — following the end of colonial rule
  • Italian: postcoloniale — following the end of colonial rule
  • Romanian: postcolonial — following the end of colonial rule
  • Swedish: postkolonial — following the end of colonial rule
  • French: postcolonial — of or pertaining to postcolonialism
  • Hindi: उत्तर औपनिवेशिक (uttar aupniveśik) — of or pertaining to postcolonialism
  • Indonesian: pascakolonial — of or pertaining to postcolonialism
  • Polish: postkolonialny — of or pertaining to postcolonialism
Real reading context

postcolonial in complete knowledge articles