A new word - gubernatorial / myLot

Rockingham, Australia

April 14, 2026 3:54am CST

I found a new word – gubernatorial, which means relating to a governor, particular from the USA. I read the word in an article about Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell of California. Following multiple sexual assault allegations, Swalwell has announced he will resign from Congress. I quote: [i[The decision caps a swift political fall for the seven-term politician, who had been seen as a frontrunner in California's gubernatorial race before dropping out as the allegations surfaced, claims he has continued to deny.[/i] Soon after the resignation, Texas Republican, Tony Gonzales, advised he would not seek re-election. He had admitted an affair with a staff member who later died by suicide. I am making no judgements here but I needed to give some background to the word. So, is gubernatorial a new word to you? The photo is mine.

15 people like this

15 responses

Eva James

@wolfgirl569 (132808)

• Marion, Ohio

As I am over here we hear it a lot.

2 people like this

LindaOH

@LindaOHio (218908)

• United States

That's a very common word here.

2 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (117409)

• United States

11h

I’m familiar with the word. It’s used a lot when elections come calling. It’s funny to say though!

2 people like this

snowy

@snowy22315 (205988)

• United States

Used slot here

2 people like this

Anna

@LadyDuck (498323)

• Italy

11h

Another word that comes from Latin "gubernator", meaning governor. Our Californian user Deborah told me about Eric Swalwell.

2 people like this

lovely

@augusta123 (8979)

•

11h

I've heard of that word before

2 people like this

Heather Echola

@GardenGerty (168525)

• United States

Nope, I knew the word. The sky in your picture is certainly lovely.

Ptrikha_2

@ptrikha_2 (49587)

• India

I have read and heard this word before. Yet I think its usage is more restricted or can we say "specific" to news circulating in and out of US. May be it is used elsewhere. May be just US and Canada. I think in sometime in the past, many people used to say "Gubernor" instead of "Governor" and "Guber..." stayed alive in this way. Just a guess !

1 person likes this

Four Walls

@FourWalls (84965)

• United States

No, we hear gubernatorial a lot here in a country with a lot of governors. I do wonder how they got that word out of governor, and why it’s not governatorial.