# messiah

/məˈsaɪə/ (US) · /mɛsˈaɪə/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. religious savior

noun · CEFR B2

a leader who is believed to be sent by God to save people or bring peace to the world.

For teachers: the promised deliverer of a nation or humanity, specifically the figure ordained by God in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

- Many people in the ancient world were waiting for a messiah to lead them.
- Theological debates often center on whether specific historical figures fulfilled the ancient prophecies regarding the arrival of the messiah.

### 2. Jesus Christ

noun · CEFR B2

a title used by Christians to refer to Jesus.

For teachers: a specific title for Jesus of Nazareth, considered by Christians to be the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

- In the Christian faith, Jesus is recognized as the Messiah.
- Handel's famous oratorio, Messiah, explores the life and religious significance of Jesus through complex choral arrangements.

### 3. a powerful leader

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person who is treated like a hero or savior by a group, even if the situation is not religious.

For teachers: a charismatic leader who is expected to solve all the problems of a particular group or movement.

- The fans treated the new star player like a messiah who would save the team.
- Voters often look for a political messiah to fix the economy, but one person rarely has all the answers.

Usage: Often used with a lowercase 'm' when referring to secular figures.

## Examples

- Many followers see him as their messiah.
- The community waited for a messiah to lead them out of poverty.

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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.