Word
ministering
Phoneticsmin·is·ter·ing
US/ˈmɪnɪstɹɪŋ/
UK/mˈɪnɪstəɹɪŋ/
Definition
v. to help and care for people in need, such as people who are sick or poor. You use it for kind, personal help, often given quietly.
v. to attend to the needs of others, especially those who are sick, poor, or in distress, often in a religious or pastoral context. Implies direct personal care and service.
Examples
“She spends weekends ministering to elderly neighbours.”
“The nurse spent the night ministering to patients in the crowded ward, bringing water and comfort.”
“After the flood, volunteers moved quietly among the shelters, ministering to displaced families with food, blankets, and steady conversation.”
Examples
simple
“She spends weekends ministering to elderly neighbours.”
contextual
“The nurse spent the night ministering to patients in the crowded ward, bringing water and comfort.”
complex
“After the flood, volunteers moved quietly among the shelters, ministering to displaced families with food, blankets, and steady conversation.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ministering” in context.
Verb
01. begin ministering
“She began ministering to homeless families in the inner city in 2015.”
verb + gerund
02. continue ministering
“Despite illness, he continued ministering to elderly parishioners at home.”
verb + gerund
03. devote to ministering
“They devoted their lives to ministering in deprived neighbourhoods.”
verb + prep + gerund
04. ministering comfort
“She spent her evenings ministering comfort to patients and their families.”
gerund + noun
05. ministering relief
“Aid workers were ministering relief to victims long after the floods.”
gerund + noun
Adjective
06. compassionate ministering
“Compassionate ministering to the bereaved was central to her work as a chaplain.”
adj + gerund
07. faithful ministering
“His faithful ministering to prisoners over decades earned deep respect.”
adj + gerund
Noun
08. act of ministering
“She saw every hospital visit as an act of ministering.”
noun + prep + gerund
09. life of ministering
“After a life of ministering abroad, he returned to teach.”
noun + prep + gerund
10. devote life to ministering
“She devoted her life to ministering in deprived urban areas.”
11. minister to the poor
“The order was founded to minister to the poor without judgment.”
12. minister to the sick
“Trained volunteers regularly minister to the sick in local hospices.”
Usage
Typically followed by 'to' when naming the people helped, as in 'ministering to the sick'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/ministering