Word
priestly
Phoneticspriest·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɹistɫi/
UK/pɹˈiːstli/
Definition
adj. relating to a priest or the duties of a priest. It describes things that are used in religious ceremonies or belong to the church.
adj. relating to a priest or the duties and privileges of the priesthood. Often used to describe ceremonial objects, vestments, or the specific authority held by religious leaders.
Examples
“The priestly vestments are kept in a special room.”
“The cathedral's interior was decorated with intricate priestly symbols and gold leaf.”
“Scholars have long debated the priestly class's influence on early legal codes, suggesting that many religious rituals were originally designed to maintain social order.”
Examples
simple
“The priestly vestments are kept in a special room.”
contextual
“The cathedral's interior was decorated with intricate priestly symbols and gold leaf.”
complex
“Scholars have long debated the priestly class's influence on early legal codes, suggesting that many religious rituals were originally designed to maintain social order.”
Etymology
From Middle English prestly; equivalent to priest + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- 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
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/priestly