decretal
de·cre·tal/dɪˈkɹiːtəɫ/adjective, noun
decretal is spelled D-E-C-R-E-T-A-L: 8 letters and 3 syllables (de·cre·tal). It appears about once in every 45 million words in written English, the 206,808th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adjective, decretal means “Pertaining to a decree” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in decretal?
| Letters | 8: D-E-C-R-E-T-A-L |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 3: de·cre·tal |
| In writing | about once in every 45 million words; the 206,808th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is decretal?
Decretal appears about once in every 45 million words in written English, the 206,808th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce decretal?
- UK /dɪˈkɹiːtəɫ/
Decretal has 3 syllables, split de·cre·tal in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Forms of decretal
- more decretal comparative
- most decretal superlative
- decretals plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does decretal mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adjective
- 1
Pertaining to a decree.
[T]his finding, when read in conjunction with the other findings, as well as decretal portions of the final judgment, is more logically interpreted as a reference to the successful operation of the business […]
noun
- 1
A papal decree, particularly one derived from an ecclesiastical letter.
DECRETALS... are the answers sent by the Pope to applications made to him as head of the church, chiefly by bishops, but also by synods, and even private individuals, for guidance in cases involving points of doctrine or discipline... From
- 2
archaicAny decree or pronounced instruction.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Where does decretal come from?
From Middle French decretal, from Late Latin dēcrētālis, from Latin decretum.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).