noun
confessor
kuhn-FEH-suh
Confessor (noun) means a priest who hears people's confessions and grants absolution. Example: “The old monk served as confessor to the whole village.”
noun
1
A priest who hears people's confessions and grants absolution.
"The old monk served as confessor to the whole village."
2
Someone who admits to something, or who acts as a trusted listener for others' secrets.
"She became the office confessor, hearing everyone's complaints."
How to use confessor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person who hears confessions — literally a priest, or more loosely, anyone people confide in.
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Word forms
- Plural
- confessors
Fill the gap
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The old monk served as _____ to the whole village.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman confessour, from Latin cōnfessor, related to cōnfiteor ("to confess").
Rhymes for confessor
See all rhymes for confessor →Frequently asked questions
What does “confessor” mean?
The word “confessor” means a priest who hears people's confessions and grants absolution. In plain terms, a person who hears confessions — literally a priest, or more loosely, anyone people confide in.
How do you pronounce “confessor”?
“Confessor” is pronounced kuhn-FEH-suh (/kənˈfɛsɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “confessor” in a sentence?
Here is “confessor” used in a sentence: “The old monk served as confessor to the whole village.”
What part of speech is “confessor”?
“Confessor” is a noun.
Where does the word “confessor” come from?
The word “confessor” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman confessour, from Latin cōnfessor, related to cōnfiteor ("to confess").
How many meanings does “confessor” have?
“Confessor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a priest who hears people's confessions and grants absolution.
