minister
13 synonyms and 0 antonyms for minister, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A politician who heads a government department.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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 minister
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin minister, "servant" or "attendant," built from minor, "lesser" — the same root that gives us "minor."
Full origin of minister →Frequently asked questions
What does “minister” mean?
The word “minister” means a politician who heads a government department. In plain terms, either a government department head or a religious leader, and as a verb, to care for or serve someone's needs.
How do you pronounce “minister”?
“Minister” is pronounced MIHN-ihs-tuh (/ˈmɪn.əˌstɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “minister” in a sentence?
Here is “minister” used in a sentence: “The finance minister announced new tax measures.”
What part of speech is “minister”?
Depending on how it is used, “minister” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “minister” come from?
The word “minister” comes from Latin. From Latin minister, "servant" or "attendant," built from minor, "lesser" — the same root that gives us "minor.".
Is “minister” a common word?
“Minister” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “minister” have?
“Minister” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a politician who heads a government department.
What is the difference between a minister and a secretary?
They often name the same job in different countries. In the UK and many parliamentary systems, a 'minister' heads a government department. In the United States, that senior official is usually called a 'secretary,' as in Secretary of State. Both are appointed political leaders running a branch of government.
What is the difference between a minister in politics and a minister in church?
They are unrelated meanings that share a spelling. A political minister leads a government department. A church minister is a member of the clergy who leads worship and cares for a congregation, especially in Protestant traditions. Only the context of the sentence makes clear which sense is meant.
What are the types of government minister?
Ranks vary by country, but a cabinet minister sits at the top table and helps set overall policy, while junior or deputy ministers support them within a department. The prime minister, or premier, is the head of the whole government rather than the leader of a single department.