parenthetical

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin parentheticus (from Late Latin parenthesis or Ancient Greek παρένθετος (parénthetos), + -icus) +‎ -al. By surface analysis, par- +‎ en- +‎ thetical.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpæ.ɹən.θɛt.ɪkl̩/

• Audio:

  (file)

Adjective

parenthetical (not comparable)

1. Using, containing, or within parenthesis.

   You wrote "Bob (my best friend) works in finance", but I think you should rephrase that parenthetical part.

2. Explaining or qualifying something.
3. Incidental.

Synonyms

• parenthetic

Derived terms

• interparenthetical
• nonparenthetical
• parentheticality
• parenthetically
• parentheticalness

Translations

parenthetical — see also parenthetic

• Esperanto: parenteza

Noun

parenthetical (plural parentheticals)

1. A word or phrase within parentheses.
2. (screenwriting) A descriptor or modifier enclosed within parentheses and put, indented, in a line of dialogue to describe how it should be acted or directed onscreen.