# christ

/ˈkɹaɪst/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/christ
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the title given to Jesus, who is the central figure of the Christian religion. In art, it refers to a painting or statue that shows him.

For teachers: the title applied to Jesus of Nazareth, regarded by Christians as the Messiah. In an art-historical context, it refers to a specific representation or depiction of Jesus in a visual medium.

## Examples

- The museum has a famous painting of Christ.
- During the Renaissance, many artists were commissioned to paint scenes from the life of Christ for local cathedrals.
- The artist's depiction of Christ departs from traditional iconography by emphasizing human vulnerability rather than divine majesty, a choice that sparked significant debate among contemporary critics.

## Usage notes

- Used as a proper noun when referring to the person; used as a countable noun when referring to a specific artwork or representation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.