Ecclesiastic — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-stik/ ec·cle·si·as·tic

Meaning & Definition of Ecclesiastic

Ecclesiastic (adjective)

  1. ecclesiastical

Ecclesiastic (noun)

  1. clergyman

Ecclesiastic (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. of or relating to a church

    "a council to make final determinations on ecclesiastic matters"

    similar: churchly, ecclesial, ecclesiastical
    related: blessed, consecrated, divine, hallowed, holy, religious, sacramental, sacred, sacrosanct, sanctified, apostolic, canonical, clerical, episcopal, evangelical, ministerial, papal, pastoral, patriarchal, pontifical, priestly, rabbinic, sacerdotal
    opposite: nonchurch, nonecclesiastical
    near: lay, profane, secular, temporal, nonclerical, nondenominational, nonsectarian

Ecclesiastic (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

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

    "as the leading ecclesiastic for his church in the state, the bishop must be beyond reproach in everything he does"

    similar: clergyperson, cleric, clerical, clerk, deacon, divine, dominie, 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 Ecclesiastic

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ecclesiastic:

churchly, ecclesial, ecclesiastical, clergyperson, cleric, clerical, clerk, deacon, divine, dominie, minister, preacher, priest, reverend

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ecclesiastic

Words with the opposite meaning of Ecclesiastic:

nonchurch, nonecclesiastical, layman, layperson, secular

Related Words for Ecclesiastic

blessed, consecrated, hallowed, holy, religious, sacramental, sacred, sacrosanct, sanctified, apostolic, canonical, episcopal, evangelical, ministerial, papal, pastoral, patriarchal, pontifical, priestly, rabbinic, sacerdotal, churchman, clergyman, father, Holy Joe, padre, clergywoman, deaconess, priestess, abbot

Near Antonyms of Ecclesiastic

lay, profane, temporal, nonclerical, nondenominational, nonsectarian, lay reader, lector

Origin & Etymology of Ecclesiastic

borrowed from Late Latin ecclēsiasticus "of the Christian Church," borrowed from Late Greek ekklēsiastikós "of the Church, of Christians, of clerics (as opposed to laymen)," going back to Greek, "of the public assembly," from ekklēsiastḗs "participant in an assembly of citizens" + -ikos -ic:1 ecclesiastes

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Ecclesiastic

What does "Ecclesiastic" mean?

"Ecclesiastic" means ecclesiastical. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: ecclesiastical. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ecclesiastic"?

Other words for "Ecclesiastic" include churchly, ecclesial, ecclesiastical, clergyperson, cleric, clerical, clerk and deacon. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ecclesiastic" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ecclesiastic"?

There are 76 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ecclesiastic". Common alternatives include churchly, ecclesial, ecclesiastical, clergyperson, cleric, clerical, clerk, deacon, divine and dominie.

What is the opposite of "Ecclesiastic"?

Antonyms of "Ecclesiastic" include nonchurch, nonecclesiastical, layman, layperson and secular. Near antonyms include lay, profane, temporal and nonclerical.

How do you use "Ecclesiastic" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ecclesiastic" in a sentence: "a council to make final determinations on ecclesiastic matters"; "as the leading ecclesiastic for his church in the state, the bishop must be beyond reproach in everything he does".

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

"Ecclesiastic" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Ecclesiastic"?

"Ecclesiastic" is pronounced /i-ˌklē-zē-ˈa-stik/ and divided into syllables as ec·cle·si·as·tic.

What is the origin of the word "Ecclesiastic"?

"Ecclesiastic" comes from borrowed from Late Latin ecclēsiasticus "of the Christian Church," borrowed from Late Greek ekklēsiastikós "of the Church, of Christians, of clerics (as opposed to laymen)," going back to Greek, "of the public assembly," from ekklēsiastḗs "participant in an assembly of citizens" + -ikos -ic:1 ecclesiastes. First known use: 15th century.