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DictionaryRoot: -alis
Latin

-alis

of, relating to

Forms

  • -alis
  • -aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
  • -al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
  • -ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

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adjective

presidential

prez-ih-DEN-shul/ˌprezɪˈdenʃl/

Relating to the role of a president.

The White House serves as a presidential residence and workplace.

The White House as a recognizable presidential residence and workplace, shown through its distinctive south façade and curved columned portico.
Etymology
presidentiLatinoffice of a president
+alLatinof, relating to

The base names the president’s office, so presidential describes things connected with that office or its holder. It can also describe conduct considered appropriate to a president.

In context

United States Institute of Peace287:42
what you saw the president do is a restatement of established US policy and China was not happy to have that restatement made at the presidential level
China's Roles in the World

More examples

  • She studied the history of presidential elections.
  • The report examined presidential powers.
  • A presidential adviser joined the meeting.

Forms

presidential

president noun — the head of an organization or republic

Similar words

executive
Relating to governing authority more broadly.
presidency-related
A plain explanatory equivalent.