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."
"The painting shows each apostle seated around a long wooden table."
"A stained glass window in the church shows an apostle holding a book."
2
An early or passionate advocate of a cause or belief.
"She became an apostle for renewable energy long before it was fashionable."
"He is an apostle of healthy eating and talks about it constantly."
"The teacher was an apostle of kindness who inspired generations of pupils."
How to use apostle
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- apostles
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Peter was one of the twelve _____ of Jesus.
Etymology
From Greek apostolos, "one sent forth," from apostellein, "to send away."
Synonyms
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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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