Proprietorial

Proprietorial is an adjective derived from proprietor, meaning of or relating to a proprietor or ownership. It can describe the attitude or approach of someone who treats something as their own property or who asserts exclusive control, often in a possessive or overbearing manner.

In law and business, proprietorial can refer to ownership rights and the exercise of authority by a proprietor. In criticism and cultural discourse, the term is used metaphorically to describe editorial or managerial behavior that presumes ownership over others’ work, decisions, or branding, rather than adopting a collaborative approach. For example, a proprietorial stance toward a newsroom or a creative project implies decisions are made in the manner of an owner who centralizes control.

Etymology: from proprietor, itself from Old French proprietaire, from Latin proprius meaning “one’s own.” The suffix -al forms an adjective.

Usage notes: Proprietorial is less common in everyday speech than proprietary or possessive. It often carries a negative or critical connotation because it implies overreach or constraining control. In some contexts, especially when referring to ownership rights in business, it can be neutral, but the sense of overbearing ownership remains common.

See also: proprietor, proprietorship, proprietary, propriety.