Acolyte — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈa-kə-ˌlīt/ ac·o·lyte

Meaning & Definition of Acolyte

Acolyte (noun)

  1. a person who assists a member of the clergy in a liturgical service by performing minor duties
  2. follower:
  3. a person who attends or assists a leader

Acolyte (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one who follows the opinions or teachings of another

    "a highly influential economist whose acolytes can be found at many major universities"

    similar: adherent, convert, disciple, epigone, follower, liege man, partisan, pupil, votarist, votary
    related: apostle, missionary, proselytizer, soldier, faithful, loyalist, advocate, backer, champion, supporter, protégé, scholar, student, ideologist, ideologue, sectarian, admirer, cultist, devotee, enthusiast, fan, idolater, worshipper, zealot, apparatchik, camp follower, flunky, hanger-on, henchman, lackey, lickspittle, minion, myrmidon, satellite, stooge, sycophant, toady, yes-man
    opposite: coryphaeus, leader
    near: apostate, defector, renegade, traitor, turncoat

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Acolyte

The most common words with a similar meaning to Acolyte:

adherent, convert, disciple, epigone, follower, liege man, partisan, pupil, votarist, votary

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Acolyte

Words with the opposite meaning of Acolyte:

coryphaeus, leader

Related Words for Acolyte

apostle, missionary, proselytizer, soldier, faithful, loyalist, advocate, backer, champion, supporter, protégé, scholar, student, ideologist, ideologue, sectarian, admirer, cultist, devotee, enthusiast, fan, idolater, worshipper, zealot, apparatchik, camp follower, flunky, hanger-on, henchman, lackey

Near Antonyms of Acolyte

apostate, defector, renegade, traitor, turncoat

Word Forms of Acolyte

Inflections: acolytes

Origin & Etymology of Acolyte

Middle English acolite, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French acolit, borrowed from Medieval Latin acolūthus, acolythus, acolitus, going back to Late Latin, "person assisting the priest," borrowed from Middle Greek akólouthos, going back to Greek, "following, (as noun) follower, attendant," from a- (variant, before a following aspirate consonant, of ha- "having one, having the same," going back to Indo-European *sm̥-, akin to Greek heîs "one," homós "same") + -kolouthos (ablaut form, in a compound, of kéleuthos "path," of uncertain origin) same:1

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Acolyte

What does "Acolyte" mean?

"Acolyte" means a person who assists a member of the clergy in a liturgical service by performing minor duties. As a noun, it is defined as: a person who assists a member of the clergy in a liturgical service by performing minor duties.

What is another word for "Acolyte"?

Other words for "Acolyte" include adherent, convert, disciple, epigone, follower, liege man, partisan and pupil. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Acolyte" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Acolyte"?

There are 48 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Acolyte". Common alternatives include adherent, convert, disciple, epigone, follower, liege man, partisan, pupil, votarist and votary.

What is the opposite of "Acolyte"?

Antonyms of "Acolyte" include coryphaeus and leader. Near antonyms include apostate, defector, renegade and traitor.

How do you use "Acolyte" in a sentence?

Examples of "Acolyte" in a sentence: "a highly influential economist whose acolytes can be found at many major universities".

Is "Acolyte" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Acolyte" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Acolyte"?

"Acolyte" is pronounced /ˈa-kə-ˌlīt/ and divided into syllables as ac·o·lyte.

What is the origin of the word "Acolyte"?

"Acolyte" comes from Middle English acolite, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French acolit, borrowed from Medieval Latin acolūthus, acolythus, acolitus, going back to Late Latin, "person assisting the priest," borrowed from Middle Greek akólouthos, going back to Greek, "following, (as noun) follower, attendant," from a- (variant, before a following aspirate consonant, of ha- "having one, having the same," going back to Indo-European *sm̥-, akin to Greek heîs "one," homós "same") + -kolouthos (ablaut form, in a compound, of kéleuthos "path," of uncertain origin) same:1. First known use: 14th century.