# friar

/ˈfɹaɪɝ/ (US) · /fɹˈaɪə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/friar
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. religious member

noun · CEFR B2

a man who is a member of a Christian religious group and lives a simple life, often traveling to help people.

For teachers: a member of a mendicant Christian order who, unlike a monk, typically lives and works among the lay public rather than in seclusion.

- The friar traveled between the small villages to teach and help the poor.
- In medieval literature, the friar is often depicted as a figure who mediates between the high church hierarchy and the common people.

### 2. printing error

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Archaic

a white or pale spot on a printed page where the ink did not cover the paper correctly.

For teachers: a pale or uninked patch on a printed sheet caused by uneven distribution of ink or a defect in the type.

- The old book had a friar on the third page where the ink was too thin.
- The master printer discarded the proofs, noting several friars that indicated the rollers were not applying the ink consistently across the chase.

Usage: In traditional letterpress printing, the opposite of a 'friar' (too little ink) is a 'monk' (too much ink).

## Examples

- The friar lived a simple life of prayer and service.
- In many medieval stories, the local friar is depicted as a wandering figure who provides spiritual guidance to the poor.
- The historical record suggests that the friar was instrumental in establishing the mission, balancing his ascetic lifestyle with the administrative demands of a growing community.

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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.