tribal

1 of 2

adjective

trib·​al ˈtrī-bəl 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a tribe

tribal customs

tribally

ˈtrī-bə-lē 

adverb

tribal

2 of 2

noun

: a member of an aboriginal people of India

—usually used in plural

Synonyms

Adjective

• ethnic
• ethnical
• racial

Examples of tribal in a Sentence

Adjective

a tribal solidarity that transcends all other loyalties or bonds

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The guidance — for members to carry their tribal identification cards with them at all times and know their rights if approached — follows what tribal leaders call concerning encounters with immigration officials. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 29 Jan. 2025

Accessorizing with rectangular frames, a silver pendant necklace and sculptural knee-high boots, FKA Twigs completed her avant-garde look with faux tribal tattoos and a half-shaven bouffant hairdo. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 23 Jan. 2025

Noun

And when Rachel responded that his path was easier because people were not targeting him, Sam was able to deftly counter that he was voted for the most times out of anyone in the final three, and was voted for at four different tribals and received 10 votes. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024

Todd had the greatest final tribal of all time with his way with words. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1632, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1953, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tribal

• inter-tribal

Kids Definition

tribal

adjective

trib·​al

ˈtrī-bəl

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a tribe

tribally

-bə-lē

adverb