Word
vicar
US/ˈvɪkɝ/
UK/vˈɪkɐ/
Definition
n. a priest who acts as a representative for a higher-ranking church leader, like a bishop.
n. an ecclesiastic who represents a superior, such as a bishop or the Pope, in the exercise of their jurisdiction.
Examples
“The vicar greeted everyone at the church door on Sunday morning.”
“After the service, the vicar visited several elderly residents in the village to offer support.”
“The local vicar played a central role in the community, often acting as a mediator during disputes between different factions of the parish council.”
Examples
simple
“The vicar greeted everyone at the church door on Sunday morning.”
contextual
“After the service, the vicar visited several elderly residents in the village to offer support.”
complex
“The local vicar played a central role in the community, often acting as a mediator during disputes between different factions of the parish council.”
Usage
Often appears in titles like 'Vicar General' or 'Vicar of Christ'.
Teaching tip
This sense is highly technical and mostly found in formal religious or historical texts.
Real-World Examples
“But I went, met him, done the audition – and then they cast me as Othello.” Rehearsals took place at St Saviour’s Church, where Gillion was the resident vicar.” “So Derek is a vicar, but he’s also a TV celebrity.” Etymology
From Middle English vicar, viker, vikyr, vicaire, vicare, a borrowing from Anglo-Norman vikare, vicare, vikaire, vikere and Old French vicaire (“deputy, second in command”), from Latin vicārius (“vicarious, substitute”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.