brethren
5 synonyms for brethren, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An old-fashioned or formal plural of "brother", used especially for members of a religious, fraternal, or shared community.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
An archaic plural of "brother" that survived in religious and ceremonial English even after "brothers" became the everyday plural.
Full origin of brethren →Frequently asked questions
What does “brethren” mean?
The word “brethren” means an old-fashioned or formal plural of "brother", used especially for members of a religious, fraternal, or shared community. In plain terms, a formal, old-fashioned word for "brothers", usually used for fellow members of a church, order, or cause rather than literal siblings.
How do you pronounce “brethren”?
“Brethren” is pronounced BREHTH-ruhn (/ˈbɹɛðɹən/ in IPA).
How do you use “brethren” in a sentence?
Here is “brethren” used in a sentence: “The preacher addressed the brethren gathered in the hall.”
What is another word for “brethren”?
Words with a similar meaning to “brethren” include Dunkard, Dunker, German Baptist Brethren, German Baptist and Tunker.
What part of speech is “brethren”?
“Brethren” is a noun.
Is “brethren” a common word?
“Brethren” is an uncommon word in modern English.
