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noun C2 Proficient Uncommon

apostle

uh-POSL

Apostle (noun) means one of the twelve original followers of Jesus chosen to spread his teachings. Example: “Peter was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.”

noun
1
One of the twelve original followers of Jesus chosen to spread his teachings.
"Peter was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus."
2
An early or passionate advocate of a cause or belief.
"She became an apostle for renewable energy long before it was fashionable."

How to Use Apostle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOriginally one of Jesus's twelve chosen disciples; more generally, a devoted early promoter of an idea or cause.

Common pairings
apostle of the twelve apostles

Word Forms

apostles plural, apostles plural, Apostles plural

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Peter was one of the twelve _____ of Jesus.

Etymology

From Greek apostolos, "one sent forth," from apostellein, "to send away."

Origin: Greek

Related Words

Rhymes for apostle

See all rhymes for apostle →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “apostle” mean?

The word “apostle” means one of the twelve original followers of Jesus chosen to spread his teachings. In plain terms, originally one of Jesus's twelve chosen disciples; more generally, a devoted early promoter of an idea or cause.

How do you pronounce “apostle”?

“Apostle” is pronounced uh-POSL (/əˈpɑsl̩/ in IPA).

How do you use “apostle” in a sentence?

Here is “apostle” used in a sentence: “Peter was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.”

What is another word for “apostle”?

Words with a similar meaning to “apostle” include disciple.

What part of speech is “apostle”?

“Apostle” is a noun.

Where does the word “apostle” come from?

The word “apostle” comes from Greek. From Greek apostolos, "one sent forth," from apostellein, "to send away.".

Is “apostle” a common word?

“Apostle” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

How many meanings does “apostle” have?

“Apostle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of the twelve original followers of Jesus chosen to spread his teachings.

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