Deacon — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈdē-kən/ dea·con

Meaning & Definition of Deacon

Deacon (noun)

  1. a subordinate officer in a Christian church
  2. a Roman Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Orthodox cleric ranking next below a priest
  3. one of the laity elected by a church with congregational polity to serve in worship, in pastoral care, and on administrative committees

Deacon (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church

    "my cousin was married by his uncle, who is also a deacon in his church"

    similar: clergyperson, cleric, clerical, clerk, divine, dominie, ecclesiastic, minister, preacher, priest, reverend
    related: churchman, clergyman, father, Holy Joe (slang), padre, clergywoman, deaconess, priestess, abbot, archbishop, archpriest, bishop, dean, diocesan, monsignor, pope, prelate, presbyter, abbé, curate, curé, parson, pastor, rector, shepherd, vicar, chaplain, confessor, sky pilot, evangelist, missionary, missioner, missionizer, revivalist, friar, mendicant, monastic, monk, oblate, religious, high priest, high priestess
    opposite: layman, layperson, secular
    near: lay reader, lector

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Deacon

The most common words with a similar meaning to Deacon:

clergyperson, cleric, clerical, clerk, divine, dominie, ecclesiastic, minister, preacher, priest, reverend

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Deacon

Words with the opposite meaning of Deacon:

layman, layperson, secular

Related Words for Deacon

churchman, clergyman, father, Holy Joe, padre, clergywoman, deaconess, priestess, abbot, archbishop, archpriest, bishop, dean, diocesan, monsignor, pope, prelate, presbyter, abbé, curate, curé, parson, pastor, rector, shepherd, vicar, chaplain, confessor, sky pilot, evangelist

Near Antonyms of Deacon

lay reader, lector

Word Forms of Deacon

Inflections: deacons

Origin & Etymology of Deacon

Middle English dekene, from Old English dēacon, from Late Latin diaconus, from Greek diakonos, literally, servant, from dia- + -konos (akin to enkonein to be active); perhaps akin to Latin conari to attempt

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Deacon

deacon's bench

Frequently Asked Questions about Deacon

What does "Deacon" mean?

"Deacon" means a subordinate officer in a Christian church. As a noun, it is defined as: a subordinate officer in a Christian church.

What is another word for "Deacon"?

Other words for "Deacon" include clergyperson, cleric, clerical, clerk, divine, dominie, ecclesiastic and minister. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Deacon" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Deacon"?

There are 53 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Deacon". Common alternatives include clergyperson, cleric, clerical, clerk, divine, dominie, ecclesiastic, minister, preacher and priest.

What is the opposite of "Deacon"?

Antonyms of "Deacon" include layman, layperson and secular. Near antonyms include lay reader and lector.

How do you use "Deacon" in a sentence?

Examples of "Deacon" in a sentence: "my cousin was married by his uncle, who is also a deacon in his church".

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

"Deacon" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Deacon"?

"Deacon" is pronounced /ˈdē-kən/ and divided into syllables as dea·con.

What is the origin of the word "Deacon"?

"Deacon" comes from Middle English dekene, from Old English dēacon, from Late Latin diaconus, from Greek diakonos, literally, servant, from dia- + -konos (akin to enkonein to be active); perhaps akin to Latin conari to attempt. First known use: before 12th century.