catholicity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catholicity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to universality or inclusiveness, often in a religious or philosophical context. Example: "The catholicity of the church is reflected in its acceptance of diverse cultures and traditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Mr. Donohue makes a similar misreading of Catholic catholicity by seemingly insisting on ideological purity.

The New York Times

In 1541 John Calvin (who never ceased to view the church in its catholicity), Bucer, and Melanchthon met with Cardinal Gasparo Contarini and other Roman Catholics at Ratisbon (now Regensburg, Germany) to reconcile their differences on justification by faith, the Lord's Supper, and the papacy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And indeed Mr Meyer's restaurant, rather than being steeped in a single tradition, is an homage to barbecue's catholicity.

The Economist

What separates modern criticism from earlier work is its catholicity of scope and method, its borrowing of procedures from the social sciences, and its unprecedented attention to detail.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bishop Richard Bagot of Oxford requested that the tracts be suspended; and in the distress of the consequent denunciations Newman increasingly withdrew into isolation, his confidence in himself shattered and his belief in the catholicity of the English church weakening.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One is the tendency toward sectarianism and division; the other is the conviction toward catholicity and unity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Newman was contending that the Church of England represented true catholicity and that the test of this catholicity (as against Rome upon the one side and what he termed "the popular Protestants" upon the other) lay in the teaching of the ancient and undivided church of the Fathers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Proof of the catholicity and openness of British philosophy is that it could embrace and heap the highest of its academic honours upon a maverick such as Jerry Cohen.

Independent

The marvel of this amiable saunter from talk-show to talk-show and from wide-screen to small, is its catholicity.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In each city the senior member of the college (assembly) of presbyters, the bishop, naturally had some special authority; he corresponded with other churches and would attend the ordinations of new bishops as the representative of his own community and as a symbol of the catholicity the universality and unity of the church of Christ.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At least in an inchoate form, all the elements of catholicity doctrine, authority, universality are evident in the New Testament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "catholicity" when you wish to emphasize a broad and inclusive scope, especially in discussions of ideas, cultures, or beliefs.

Common error

Avoid using "catholicity" in contexts where its religious meaning might overshadow your intended meaning of general universality or inclusiveness. Choose a more neutral term like "universality" or "inclusiveness" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "catholicity" is as a noun. It denotes a quality or characteristic, specifically that of being universal, inclusive, or comprehensive. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment and usage examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catholicity" functions as a noun indicating universality or inclusiveness. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, and real-world examples show it frequently appears in news, encyclopedias, and academic texts. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of potential confusion with its religious connotation and opt for alternatives like "universality" or "inclusiveness" when clarity is paramount. The term carries a neutral to formal tone, suggesting careful consideration of context is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

universality

Focuses on the quality of being applicable or common to all things.

inclusiveness

Emphasizes the practice of including everyone, regardless of their differences.

comprehensiveness

Highlights the quality of covering all aspects of something.

broad-mindedness

Refers to the quality of being open to new ideas and tolerant of others' views.

openness

Stresses the quality of being receptive to new ideas and experiences.

all-embracing nature

Suggests a quality of encompassing or including everything.

ecumenical spirit

Relates to promoting unity or cooperation between different religious denominations.

general acceptance

Indicates widespread approval or agreement.

universalism

Highlights the theological doctrine that all people will eventually be saved.

cosmopolitanism

Refers to the ideology that all human beings belong to a single community.

FAQs

How is "catholicity" used in a sentence?

"Catholicity" can describe the comprehensive nature of something, like "the catholicity of his interests spanned art, science, and literature", or the inclusive character of an institution.

What words can I use instead of "catholicity"?

Depending on the context, you can use "universality", "inclusiveness", or "comprehensiveness" as alternatives to "catholicity".

Is "catholicity" the same as "Catholicism"?

No, "catholicity" refers to the quality of being universal or inclusive, while "Catholicism" refers to the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church.

In what context is the word "catholicity" commonly used?

"Catholicity" is often used in philosophical, theological, or cultural discussions to describe the extent to which something encompasses a wide range of elements or appeals to a broad audience.