Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

custodial

/kʌsˈtoʊ.di.əl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.10 in modern English

Syllables: cus-to-di-al
IPA: /kʌsˈtoʊ.di.əl/

12

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Providing protection, care, supervision or guarding.

adj

Of, pertaining to or providing custody, especially of a child.

adj

Providing punishment by incarceration.

adj

Occurring while in custody.

adj

Related to the work of a custodian.

Example Sentences

"custodial account, custodial care"
"My custodial efforts have kept my daughter safe her whole life."
"Near-synonym: parental"
"custodial dispute, custodial parent, custodial guardian"
"I disagree with the judge's custodial decision."
"custodial sentence, custodial status"

Etymology

From custody + -al; compare French custodial.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: custody

Inflected Forms

more custodial (comparative) most custodial (superlative)

Derived Forms

custodialism custodially noncustodial postcustodial

Phrases

custodial symmetry

Frequently Paired Words

custodian custody

Synonyms

parental janitorial tutelary tutelar

Rhymes With

pseudopodial

Questions

How do you pronounce custodial?: The recorded pronunciation is /kʌsˈtoʊ.di.əl/.
What does custodial mean?: Providing protection, care, supervision or guarding.
Where does custodial come from?: From custody + -al; compare French custodial.

How to pronounce custodial

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “custodial”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/kʌsˈtoʊ.di.əl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “custodial”.
Repeat and practice — Say “custodial” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.