noun
Common
Protestant
PRO-tihs-tuhnt
Protestant (noun) means a member of one of the Christian churches that broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation. Example: “His grandparents were devout Protestants.”
noun
1
A member of one of the Christian churches that broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation.
"His grandparents were devout Protestants."
adj
1
Relating to these churches or their beliefs.
"The town has a strong Protestant tradition."
How to use Protestant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribing the branch of Christianity that split from Catholicism in the 1500s, including Lutherans, Anglicans, Baptists, and many others.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Protestants
- Comparative
- more Protestant
- Superlative
- most Protestant
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His grandparents were devout _____.
Etymology
From German Protestant or French protestant, ultimately tied to protest plus -ant — the early Reformers formally "protested" against Catholic Church decisions.
Synonyms
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reformed christian
Rhymes for Protestant
See all rhymes for Protestant →Frequently asked questions
What does “Protestant” mean?
The word “Protestant” means a member of one of the Christian churches that broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation. In plain terms, describing the branch of Christianity that split from Catholicism in the 1500s, including Lutherans, Anglicans, Baptists, and many others.
How do you pronounce “Protestant”?
“Protestant” is pronounced PRO-tihs-tuhnt (/ˈpɹɑtɪstənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “Protestant” in a sentence?
Here is “Protestant” used in a sentence: “His grandparents were devout Protestants.”
What part of speech is “Protestant”?
Depending on how it is used, “Protestant” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “Protestant” come from?
The word “Protestant” comes from French. From German Protestant or French protestant, ultimately tied to protest plus -ant — the early Reformers formally "protested" against Catholic Church decisions.
Is “Protestant” a common word?
“Protestant” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Protestant” have?
“Protestant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of one of the Christian churches that broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation.
What is the difference between Protestant and Catholic?
Protestants belong to Christian churches that broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation, rejecting papal authority and certain Catholic doctrines. Catholics remain under the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church's traditional structure and sacraments.
Is Protestant capitalized?
Yes, Protestant is capitalized because it refers to a specific religious tradition, similar to Catholic or Methodist. This holds whether it is used as a noun for a member of these churches or as an adjective describing their beliefs.
What are examples of Protestant denominations?
Protestant denominations include groups such as Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Anglicans, all of which trace their origins to the Reformation split from the Roman Catholic Church. Each denomination has its own specific beliefs and practices within the broader Protestant tradition.
