clergyman

USAGE SUMMARY

"clergyman" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a male Christian minister, especially in a more formal or literary context. Example Sentence: The local clergyman was invited to give the benediction at the town's annual Fourth of July celebration.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The clergyman, who befriended the troubled rock singer Pete Doherty when the star spent 13 nights in Pentonville in January for drugs offences, now faces the sack and could lose his prison-owned home.

The Guardian

The station is run by Tadeusz Rydzyk, a controversial clergyman who is viscerally anti-German, anti-Russian and anti-EU, peddling a daily diet of bigotry and paranoia which resonates powerfully with mainly elderly rural voters.

The Guardian

Writing in his journal about the strange celestial events of 13 November 1833, Prophet Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, described how he was awakened at 4am by a fellow clergyman "calling me to arise and behold the signs in the heavens".

The Guardian - Arts

Later, a bitter Bubbles – having been left hanging by Herc and treated rudely by a minister – gets his revenge on both by tricking Sergeant Hauk into busting the clergyman.

The Guardian

In this case, see, it's about justice – because we have children who cannot speak for themselves," said Gannon, who comes at the issue as both a clergyman and a dad.

The Guardian

It was a good legal strategy that a longtime Christian clergyman became the namesake for Gannon v Kansas, a lawsuit bent on increasing funding for a secular institution.

The Guardian

"I believe Buhari is a man of integrity and even his vice-president is a clergyman, so things will be different now".

The Guardian

Jane Austen's favourite brother, Henry, started his own bank, though after it failed he reverted to the family business and became a clergyman.

The Economist

Both novels have a self-serving politicking clergyman (the Reverend Isaac Blakey has much of the unctuous insincerity of the Reverend Reginald Bacon), strong-willed and opinionated judges, politicised lawyers and macho bankers.

The Economist

A 64-year-old clergyman who was educated partly in Glasgow, he was Iran's leading negotiator on nuclear affairs when the reform-inclined Muhammad Khatami served as president from 1997-2005.

The Economist

Thomas Malthus, a British clergyman who founded the science of demography, wrote in 1798 that it was impossible for people to "feel no anxiety about providing the means of subsistence for themselves and [their] families" and that "no possible form of society could prevent the almost constant action of misery upon a great part of mankind".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clergyman", be mindful of its gender-specific connotation. If referring to a religious leader of either gender, consider using the more inclusive term "member of the clergy".

Common error

Avoid using "clergyman" when referring to a female religious leader. Opt for terms like "clergy member" or "religious leader" to ensure inclusivity and avoid misgendering.

Linguistic Context

The word "clergyman" functions as a noun, specifically referring to a male member of the Christian clergy. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly used to identify individuals who have been ordained and are authorized to perform religious duties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clergyman" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun referring to a male member of the Christian clergy. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. While widely accepted, it's important to be mindful of its gender-specific nature and consider more inclusive alternatives like "member of the clergy" when appropriate. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "clergyman" serves to clearly identify and describe a specific religious role. Remember to avoid assuming it's a gender-neutral term to prevent misgendering.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reverend

This alternative is a title given to some clergymen.

member of the clergy

This alternative is a more general term that encompasses both male and female religious leaders, whereas "clergyman" specifically refers to a male.

pastor

This alternative typically refers to the leader of a Protestant church.

priest

This alternative typically refers to a leader in the Catholic or Anglican church.

ordained minister

This alternative specifies that the individual has been formally recognized and authorized to perform religious duties.

religious leader

This alternative is a broader term that includes leaders from various religions, not just Christianity.

man of the cloth

This alternative is an idiomatic expression that refers to a clergyman, emphasizing their religious role and attire.

church official

This is a broader term referring to someone holding an official position within a church.

ecclesiastic

This is a formal and somewhat archaic term for a member of the clergy.

spiritual advisor

This alternative emphasizes the role of providing guidance and support, rather than formal religious duties.

FAQs

What does "clergyman" mean?

"Clergyman" refers to an ordained male Christian minister or a male member of the clergy. It's a gender-specific term, so it should only be used when referring to men.

What's the difference between "clergyman" and "clergy member"?

"Clergyman" is specifically for male members of the clergy, while "clergy member" is a gender-neutral term that can refer to any member of the clergy, regardless of gender. Use "clergy member" when gender is unknown or irrelevant.

Are there alternatives to the word "clergyman"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "religious leader", "member of the clergy", or "ordained minister", depending on the context. These are often more inclusive.

How can I use "clergyman" in a sentence?

You can use "clergyman" in a sentence like: "The "clergyman" officiated the wedding ceremony." Remember to use it only when referring to a male member of the clergy.