missionary

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "missionary" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person who is sent on a mission to teach a religious faith or to do charitable work in a foreign country. For example, "The missionary worked in Africa for two years teaching the local children about Christianity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Madrid health authorities have claimed that Romero contracted the disease after touching the face of the Spanish missionary she was treating.

The Guardian

Back in Tarsus, the home of Christianity's greatest missionary, the faith Paul once proclaimed has now been eradicated.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Thursday, a man who had travelled from Nigeria and a missionary recently returned from Liberia were admitted to the Carlos III hospital with fever.

The Guardian

Outside Africa, two nurses were infected while caring for a patient in Texas, who flew from Liberia before exhibiting symptoms, as was a nurse who treated a missionary repatriated to Madrid.

The Guardian

O'Connell's story is remarkable in itself, an Irish missionary who went to Kenya as a geography teacher in 1976 only to end up coaching some of the country's finest athletes.

The Guardian - Sport

Blatter cast himself as a global football missionary, and won praise even from his critics for exporting the game into developing countries.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The government's commitment to protect international aid from spending cuts has more support than you might think on the Conservative right, precisely because Christian Tories like the quasi-missionary idea of going out to do good in the world.

The Economist

Which is why Paul's birthplace in Tarsus, near the Mediterranean coast in south-eastern Turkey, has always attracted missionaries, looking for inspiration.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Spanish nurse who contracted Ebola after caring for two repatriated missionaries appears to have overcome the deadly disease, health authorities said on Sunday.

The Guardian

The documentary details how wartime suspicion prompted a government official to suggest that one of the German missionaries, George Heinrich Schwarz, was involved in a plan to help the Japanese.

The Guardian

"Once stories began to emerge about western missionaries, doctors or nurses contracting the virus, media interest really picked up".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "missionaries", be specific about their religious affiliation or the organization they represent for clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using the term "missionary" in contexts that might imply cultural superiority or disregard for local customs. Frame your writing to respect diverse perspectives and avoid perpetuating stereotypes.

Linguistic Context

The word "missionary" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity in a foreign country. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this word is acceptable and in correct English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "missionary" is a noun that describes a person sent on a religious mission. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, business, and science. When using the term, it's important to be mindful of cultural sensitivities and provide specific details about the missionary's affiliation. While alternatives like "religious messenger" or "evangelist" exist, "missionary" remains the most direct and widely understood term. The term appears frequently in authoritative sources such as The Economist and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

religious messenger

Focuses on the role of delivering religious messages, similar to a missionary's purpose.

evangelist

Highlights the act of preaching and spreading religious beliefs, a core activity of missionaries.

gospel preacher

Highlights the act of preaching the gospel, specifically related to Christian missions.

proselytizer

Emphasizes the attempt to convert individuals to a particular faith, which is a specific goal of some missionaries.

foreign mission volunteer

Specifies involvement in missionary work abroad, highlighting the international aspect.

faith healer

Emphasizes the aspect of healing often associated with religious missions, though not all missionaries are involved in healing.

religious worker

A broader term encompassing various roles within a religious organization, including missionary work.

outreach worker

Highlights the community engagement aspect of some missionary activities.

charitable envoy

Focuses on the charitable works associated with religious missions.

spiritual guide

Focuses on the role of providing spiritual guidance and support, a function some missionaries fulfill.

FAQs

How is "missionary" typically used in a sentence?

The word "missionary" is used to describe a person sent on a religious mission. For example, "The "missionary" worked to spread Christianity in the remote village".

What are some alternative terms for "missionary"?

Alternatives include "religious messenger", "evangelist", or "proselytizer", depending on the specific context and emphasis.

What is the difference between a "missionary" and a "volunteer"?

While both may engage in charitable work, a "missionary" is specifically focused on spreading religious beliefs, whereas a "volunteer" may work in various fields without a religious agenda.

Is it appropriate to use the term "missionary" in a neutral context?

Yes, it is appropriate as long as the context is respectful and acknowledges the potential sensitivities surrounding religious conversion and cultural exchange.