Word
clergyman
Phoneticscler·gy·man, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɫɝdʒiˌmæn/
UK/klˈɜːdʒɪmən/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a male member of the clergy, such as a priest or minister in a Christian church.
n. a male member of the clergy, typically within a Christian denomination. While historically common, the term is increasingly replaced by gender-neutral alternatives like 'member of the clergy' or 'cleric' in modern contexts.
Examples
“The clergyman led the Sunday morning service.”
“The local clergyman was a well-respected figure who often mediated disputes between families in the village.”
“In nineteenth-century literature, the clergyman is often depicted as a moral compass for the community, though his influence began to wane as society became more secular.”
Examples
simple
“The clergyman led the Sunday morning service.”
contextual
“The local clergyman was a well-respected figure who often mediated disputes between families in the village.”
complex
“In nineteenth-century literature, the clergyman is often depicted as a moral compass for the community, though his influence began to wane as society became more secular.”
Usage
Refers specifically to a man; the female equivalent is 'clergywoman', though 'cleric' is the preferred gender-neutral term.
Real-World Examples
“The late Norman Vincent Peale, a US clergyman and promoter of positive thinking, urged people to “shoot for the moon”, adding, “Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars”.” “His father, a reluctant clergyman, was angry and very often drunk.” Etymology
From clergy + -man.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/clergyman