# episcopal

/ɪˈpɪskəpəɫ/ (US) · /ɪpˈɪskɒpəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. relating to bishops

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

related to a bishop or the way a church is led by bishops.

For teachers: relating to or denoting the government of a church by bishops. The term is often used in ecclesiastical contexts to describe the hierarchy or authority of the clergy.

- The city is home to an episcopal palace where the bishop lives.
- The council debated the extent of episcopal authority in matters of local parish administration and financial oversight.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

### 2. the Episcopal Church

adjective · CEFR B2 · American English

relating to the Episcopal Church, which is a branch of the Anglican church in the US and other countries.

For teachers: relating to the Episcopal Church, particularly the branch of the Anglican Communion in the United States and Scotland.

- They were married in a beautiful Episcopal ceremony last summer.
- The Episcopal Church has played a significant role in the social and political history of the American Northeast since the colonial era.

Usage: Capitalized when referring to the specific denomination.

### 3. a church member

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Dialect

a member of the Episcopal Church.

For teachers: a member or adherent of an Episcopal church. This usage is less common than the adjective form and is often replaced by 'Episcopalian'.

- As a lifelong episcopal, she volunteered for the church every Sunday.
- The congregation consisted mostly of local episcopals who had attended the same parish for generations.

Teaching tip: In modern American English, 'Episcopalian' is the standard noun for a person; using 'episcopal' as a noun is considered nonstandard or archaic by many.

## Examples

- The city is home to a beautiful episcopal palace.
- The local church follows an episcopal structure, meaning the bishop makes the final decisions on major appointments.
- Scholars debated whether the early church was strictly episcopal in its governance or if a more communal leadership style had preceded the formal hierarchy of bishops.

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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.