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noun B1 Intermediate Very common

Christian

KRIHSHT-shuhn

Christian (noun) means a person who follows the teachings and faith of Jesus Christ. Example: “She was raised Christian and attends church every Sunday.”

noun
1
A person who follows the teachings and faith of Jesus Christ.
"She was raised Christian and attends church every Sunday."
adjective
1
Relating to Christianity, Christ, or its followers.
"They were married in a small Christian ceremony."

How to use Christian

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA follower of Christianity, or anything relating to that faith.

Common pairings
devout Christian Christian faith Christian values

Word forms

more Christian comparative, Christians plural, Christians plural, most Christian superlative

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Test yourself on “Christian” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She was raised _____ and attends church every Sunday.

Etymology

From Old French chrestien, from Latin Christianus, from Greek Khristianós ("follower of Christ").

Origin: Latin

believer follower of Christ Christ follower churchgoer disciple charitable helpful kind neighborly neighbourly sweet

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for Christian

See all rhymes for Christian →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Christian” mean?

The word “Christian” means a person who follows the teachings and faith of Jesus Christ. In plain terms, a follower of Christianity, or anything relating to that faith.

How do you pronounce “Christian”?

“Christian” is pronounced KRIHSHT-shuhn (/ˈkɹɪʃt͡ʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “Christian” in a sentence?

Here is “Christian” used in a sentence: “She was raised Christian and attends church every Sunday.”

What is another word for “Christian”?

Words with a similar meaning to “Christian” include charitable, helpful, kind, neighborly, neighbourly and sweet.

What is the opposite of “Christian”?

The opposite of “Christian” — its antonyms — are atheist, agnostic, heathen, non-Christian and pagan.

What part of speech is “Christian”?

Depending on how it is used, “Christian” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “Christian” come from?

The word “Christian” comes from Latin. From Old French chrestien, from Latin Christianus, from Greek Khristianós ("follower of Christ").

Is “Christian” a common word?

“Christian” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

What is the difference between a Christian and a Catholic?

A Christian is anyone who follows Jesus Christ. Catholic refers to one large branch of Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church, led by the Pope. So every Catholic is a Christian, but Christians also include Protestants, Eastern Orthodox believers, and many other traditions that are not Catholic.

What are the main branches of Christianity?

Christianity has three broad branches: Roman Catholicism, led by the Pope; Eastern Orthodoxy, common in Greece, Russia, and eastern Europe; and Protestantism, which itself includes many denominations such as Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, and Anglican. All share belief in Jesus Christ while differing in practice and structure.

What do Christians believe?

Christians believe in one God and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died and rose again to offer salvation. They regard the Bible as sacred scripture and follow Jesus's teachings, especially love of God and neighbour. Specific beliefs and worship vary between denominations.

How does someone become a Christian?

In most traditions a person becomes a Christian through faith in Jesus Christ and baptism, a ritual using water to mark entry into the faith. Some are baptised as infants and raised in the church; others choose it as adults. The exact steps vary between denominations.

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