noun
Uncommon
cleric
KLEH-rihk
Cleric (noun) means a member of the clergy, such as a priest, imam, or minister. Example: “A local cleric organized the relief effort after the flood.”
noun
1
A member of the clergy, such as a priest, imam, or minister.
"A local cleric organized the relief effort after the flood."
adj
1
Relating to the clergy.
"He wore cleric robes for the ceremony."
How to use cleric
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA general word for a religious official of any faith, not tied to one denomination.
Common mistake
Cleric and clerk come from the same Latin root but now mean very different things — don't mix them up.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- clerics
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A local _____ organized the relief effort after the flood.
Etymology
From Late Latin clericus, ultimately from Greek klerikos, "of the clergy," related to kleros, "a lot" (as in casting lots), since clergy were originally chosen this way.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for cleric
See all rhymes for cleric →Frequently asked questions
What does “cleric” mean?
The word “cleric” means a member of the clergy, such as a priest, imam, or minister. In plain terms, a general word for a religious official of any faith, not tied to one denomination.
How do you pronounce “cleric”?
“Cleric” is pronounced KLEH-rihk (/ˈklɛɹɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “cleric” in a sentence?
Here is “cleric” used in a sentence: “A local cleric organized the relief effort after the flood.”
What is another word for “cleric”?
Words with a similar meaning to “cleric” include blackcoat, clerical, clergymember and clergyperson.
What is the opposite of “cleric”?
The opposite of “cleric” — its antonyms — is layperson.
What part of speech is “cleric”?
Depending on how it is used, “cleric” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “cleric” come from?
The word “cleric” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin clericus, ultimately from Greek klerikos, "of the clergy," related to kleros, "a lot" (as in casting lots), since clergy were originally chosen this way.
Is “cleric” a common word?
“Cleric” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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