church
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for church, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A building used for Christian worship.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use church
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English cirice, ultimately from a Greek word meaning "belonging to the Lord" — the same root gives Scots kirk and German Kirche.
Full origin of church →Frequently asked questions
What does “church” mean?
The word “church” means a building used for Christian worship. In plain terms, a place, service, or institution connected to Christian worship.
How do you pronounce “church”?
“Church” is pronounced CHURCH (/ˈt͡ʃɝt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “church” in a sentence?
Here is “church” used in a sentence: “The wedding was held in a small stone church.”
What is another word for “church”?
Words with a similar meaning to “church” include autem and congregation.
What part of speech is “church”?
“Church” is a noun.
Where does the word “church” come from?
The word “church” comes from Old English. From Old English cirice, ultimately from a Greek word meaning "belonging to the Lord" — the same root gives Scots kirk and German Kirche.
Is “church” a common word?
“Church” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “church” have?
“Church” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a building used for Christian worship.
What is the difference between a church and a cathedral?
A cathedral is a church, but a special one: it is the main church of a diocese and contains the cathedra, the seat of the bishop who oversees that region. Cathedrals are usually larger and more senior. Every cathedral is a church, but most churches are ordinary parish churches, not cathedrals.
What is the difference between a church and a chapel?
A church is usually a standalone building for a whole congregation. A chapel is smaller and often part of something larger — inside a school, hospital, prison, or big house, or a side space within a cathedral. Chapels serve a narrower group or purpose, while a church serves a full parish community.
Does 'church' only mean a building?
No. Besides the building, 'church' can mean the people — the congregation gathered for worship. It can also name a whole Christian denomination or institution, such as the Catholic Church or the Church of England. And 'the Church' broadly refers to the worldwide body of Christian believers as a single community.
What is the difference between a church and a temple or mosque?
The difference is the religion each serves. A church is a place of Christian worship. A temple is a house of worship in faiths such as Hinduism, Buddhism, or Judaism, and a mosque is where Muslims pray. All are places of worship, but 'church' specifically belongs to Christianity.