noun Uncommon

Jesuit

JEH-zoo-iht

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Jesuit (noun) means a member of the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order known for its schools and missionary work. Example: “He was educated by Jesuits and later taught philosophy himself.”

noun

A member of the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order known for its schools and missionary work.

"He was educated by Jesuits and later taught philosophy himself."

Informally, someone seen as overly clever or manipulative in argument.

"Critics called the lawyer a jesuit for the way he twisted the wording of the contract."

How to use Jesuit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA member of a well-known Catholic religious and teaching order — or, loosely, someone seen as a slippery, hair-splitting arguer.

UK vs US

Capitalize "Jesuit" when referring to the order or its members; the lowercase, insulting sense is rare and dated.

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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”.

Word forms

Plural: Jesuits

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He was educated by _____ and later taught philosophy himself.

Etymology

From the Latin name of the religious order, the Society of Jesus, founded in the 16th century by Ignatius of Loyola.

Origin: Latin · First attested 1500

Class of 1500 Jesuit joined the language around 1500.

acknowledge amok asthma atlas axis

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Rhymes for Jesuit

quit suit fruit Inuit circuit recruit lawsuit pursuit biscuit conduit swimsuit jumpsuit

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Jesuit” mean?

The word “Jesuit” means a member of the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order known for its schools and missionary work. In plain terms, a member of a well-known Catholic religious and teaching order — or, loosely, someone seen as a slippery, hair-splitting arguer.

How do you pronounce “Jesuit”?

“Jesuit” is pronounced JEH-zoo-iht (/ˈd͡ʒɛzuɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “Jesuit” in a sentence?

Here is “Jesuit” used in a sentence: “He was educated by Jesuits and later taught philosophy himself.”

What part of speech is “Jesuit”?

“Jesuit” is a noun.

Where does the word “Jesuit” come from?

The word “Jesuit” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Latin. From the Latin name of the religious order, the Society of Jesus, founded in the 16th century by Ignatius of Loyola.

Is “Jesuit” a common word?

“Jesuit” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Jesuit” have?

“Jesuit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order known for its schools and missionary work.

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