christen
2 synonyms for christen, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To baptise someone, especially a baby, and give them a name in a Christian ceremony.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use christen
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
christen a baby
christen a ship
Etymology
From Old English cristnian, "to baptise," built from cristen ("Christian") plus a verb-forming ending.
Full origin of christen →Frequently asked questions
What does “christen” mean?
The word “christen” means to baptise someone, especially a baby, and give them a name in a Christian ceremony. In plain terms, to baptise and name a child, or more loosely, to name or first use something.
How do you pronounce “christen”?
“Christen” is pronounced KRIH-suhn (/ˈkɹɪsən/ in IPA).
How do you use “christen” in a sentence?
Here is “christen” used in a sentence: “They christened their daughter at the local church.”
What part of speech is “christen”?
“Christen” is a verb.
Where does the word “christen” come from?
The word “christen” comes from Old English. From Old English cristnian, "to baptise," built from cristen ("Christian") plus a verb-forming ending.
How many meanings does “christen” have?
“Christen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to baptise someone, especially a baby, and give them a name in a Christian ceremony.
