pontiff
1 synonym for pontiff, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The Pope, as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
How to use pontiff
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the Roman pontiff
address by the pontiff
Etymology
From Middle French pontife, from Latin pontifex, originally a member of Rome's chief college of priests.
Full origin of pontiff →Frequently asked questions
What does “pontiff” mean?
The word “pontiff” means the Pope, as head of the Roman Catholic Church. In plain terms, a formal word for the Pope, or any supreme religious leader.
How do you pronounce “pontiff”?
“Pontiff” is pronounced PON-tihf (/ˈpɒntɪf/ in IPA).
How do you use “pontiff” in a sentence?
Here is “pontiff” used in a sentence: “The pontiff addressed crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square.”
What part of speech is “pontiff”?
“Pontiff” is a noun.
Where does the word “pontiff” come from?
The word “pontiff” comes from Latin. From Middle French pontife, from Latin pontifex, originally a member of Rome's chief college of priests.
How many meanings does “pontiff” have?
“Pontiff” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the Pope, as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
