noun
Uncommon
sermon
SUR-muhn
Sermon (noun) means a talk given during a religious service, usually on a moral or spiritual theme. Example: “The priest's sermon focused on forgiveness.”
noun
1
A talk given during a religious service, usually on a moral or spiritual theme.
"The priest's sermon focused on forgiveness."
2
A long, moralising talk that scolds or lectures someone.
"His dad gave him a sermon about responsibility after the car accident."
How to use sermon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA religious talk given in a service, or more casually, a long-winded lecture or telling-off.
Common pairings
deliver a sermon
preach a sermon
give someone a sermon
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Word forms
- Plural
- sermons
- Third person singular
- sermons
- Past tense
- sermoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The priest's _____ focused on forgiveness.
Etymology
From Old French sermon, from Latin sermō, "speech, discourse."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sermon” mean?
The word “sermon” means a talk given during a religious service, usually on a moral or spiritual theme. In plain terms, a religious talk given in a service, or more casually, a long-winded lecture or telling-off.
How do you pronounce “sermon”?
“Sermon” is pronounced SUR-muhn (/ˈsɝ.mən/ in IPA).
How do you use “sermon” in a sentence?
Here is “sermon” used in a sentence: “The priest's sermon focused on forgiveness.”
What part of speech is “sermon”?
“Sermon” is a noun.
Where does the word “sermon” come from?
The word “sermon” comes from Latin. From Old French sermon, from Latin sermō, "speech, discourse.".
Is “sermon” a common word?
“Sermon” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sermon” have?
“Sermon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a talk given during a religious service, usually on a moral or spiritual theme.
What is the difference between a sermon and a homily?
Both are talks given during a religious service on a moral or spiritual theme, but a homily is typically shorter and more conversational, often tied closely to a specific scripture reading, while a sermon can be longer and more structured. In everyday use, the terms are often used interchangeably.
What does it mean when someone says "don't give me a sermon"?
This uses the informal, non-religious sense of sermon, referring to a long, moralising talk that scolds or lectures someone. It is typically said to push back against unwanted advice or criticism.
Is a sermon always religious?
No. While a sermon is traditionally a talk given during a religious service, the word is also used informally for any lengthy lecture that scolds or moralises, even outside a religious setting.
