noun

exegete

EK-suh-jeet

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Exegete (noun) means a person skilled at interpreting texts, laws or other difficult and obscure sources. Example: “The panel invited a biblical exegete to explain the disputed passage.”

noun

A person skilled at interpreting texts, laws or other difficult and obscure sources.

"The panel invited a biblical exegete to explain the disputed passage."

"Legal exegetes still argue over how the clause should be read."

"She trained as an exegete of ancient religious texts."

verb

formal To interpret a text closely, especially a religious one.

"The seminar exegetes a different chapter of the book each week."

"He spent years exegeting the same short passage."

How to use exegete

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone whose job or skill is explaining what a difficult text really means.

When to use it

It's a fairly academic or specialist word, mostly found in religious or scholarly writing.

Memory tip

Note the noun exegete and the related noun exegesis are different words with different endings.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

exegesis →

Common pairings

biblical exegete a skilled exegete exegete of the text

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Can you complete this real example?

The panel invited a biblical _____ to explain the disputed passage.

Etymology

Exegete comes from the Ancient Greek word exēgētēs, meaning someone who expounds or interprets. The word carried that same sense of explaining a difficult text into English.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Synonyms

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hermeneut

Rhymes for exegete

fete mete Pete Crete gamete delete secrete athlete compete machete aesthete concrete

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Frequently asked questions

What does exegete mean?

It means someone who interprets texts, especially difficult or obscure ones such as scripture or law.

Is exegete only used for religious texts?

It's most common in religious contexts, but the grounding also shows it applied to law, oracles and other obscure sources.

Can exegete be used as a verb?

Yes, it can mean to interpret or perform an exegesis on a text, mainly in religious writing.

What is the meaning of exegete?

"exegete" (noun) means a person skilled at interpreting texts, laws or other difficult and obscure sources.