# gospel

/ˈɡɑspəɫ/ (US) · /ɡˈɒspəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. religious scripture

noun · CEFR B2

one of the four books in the Bible about the life and teachings of Jesus.

For teachers: one of the first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) detailing the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

- The priest read a passage from the Gospel of Mark during the service.
- Scholars often compare the three synoptic Gospels to identify shared oral traditions and unique theological perspectives.

### 2. absolute truth

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

something that is accepted as being completely true or a rule that must be followed.

For teachers: a set of principles or a statement regarded as being absolutely authoritative or beyond doubt.

- You shouldn't take everything the newspapers say as gospel.
- In the tech industry, his predictions were taken as gospel by investors who had seen him succeed time and again.

Usage: often used in the phrase 'take something as gospel'

### 3. music style

noun · CEFR B2

a style of religious music that comes from the African-American church.

For teachers: a genre of Christian music characterized by dominant vocals and strong use of harmony, originating in the religious revival movements of the United States.

- The choir sang a beautiful gospel song that made everyone feel happy.
- The festival featured a variety of performers, ranging from traditional gospel choirs to modern artists who blend the genre with soul and R&B.

## Examples

- The choir sang a beautiful gospel song during the service.
- Many people in the village took the doctor's advice as gospel because he had lived there for forty years.
- While the four accounts of the Gospel share a central narrative, each author emphasizes different aspects of the ministry to suit their specific audience in the first century.

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