2007-01-12 03:50:07 · 3 answers · asked by ? 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Both words have the same root word dic/dict meaning "to say or tell".
Dictator is a noun and means "absolute ruler"; "tyrant"; "despot"; or "one who dictates" such as a letter.
Dictatorial is an adjective and means "tending to dictate"; "domineering";"characteristic of a dictator or dictatorship"; or "autocratic".
The reason they sound different is not because they have different meanings. "Know" and "no" have different meanings but they still sound the same. The reason dictator and dictatorial sound different is because it sounds better to pronounce dictatorial different than just dictator with an "ial" sound at the end. Go ahead. Try it! dic·ta·tor·i·al vs. dic·ta·to·ri·al. See what I mean.
2007-01-12 04:25:39 · answer #1 · answered by John 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They sound different because they are spelled different because they are 2 different words.
Dictator is a person > that runs a country (not voted for).
Dictatorial is a behavior > of being very bossy and controlling but can be a regular person, just with bad behavior.
2007-01-12 11:56:56 · answer #2 · answered by kate 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dictator is the person, dictatorial is a way of governing, so how could they be the same thing?
2007-01-12 11:56:39 · answer #3 · answered by sry_ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋