saint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "saint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a person recognized for their holiness or virtue, often in a religious context. Example: "She was considered a saint for her selfless acts of charity and kindness towards others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Travel

Sport

Lifestyle

Film

Arts

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

How was I to explain to him that to me, seeing Achebe would be similar to, say, a Catholic coming face to face with his patron saint?

The Guardian - Books

Fico might be no saint, but he at least offered a stable alternative to such heedless avarice.

The Guardian - Opinion

He certainly was enough of an inside player to have done it, with a past littered with incidents of Malay chauvinism, pandering to conservative Islam and political ambition that westerners who seek to make him a liberal saint conveniently forget.

The Guardian - Opinion

In painting the horror of the crime scene, he turns Marat into a revolutionary saint.

The Guardian - Arts

The melancholy poetry of its secular patron saint, Philip Larkin, seems to ooze from the banks of the Humber.

The Guardian

He emerges from the film as a hero – but not a saint.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Since the 15th century, the followers of local saint-scholar Srimanta Sankardeva, who venerate the god Vishnu, have been building monasteries, or satras, here.

The Guardian - Travel

Startlingly handsome, but in a rather ascetic saint-like way, he was extremely dignified – adland doesn't really do dignified – and seemed more like a Great Writer in a television arts programme.

The Guardian

Starting in Saint-Rémy, the trail includes the medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence Baux-de-Provence Baux-de-Provence

The Guardian - Travel

SB Top targets Franck Tabanou (Saint-Etienne, £3.5m), Kristoffer Nordfeldt (Heerenveen) May end up with Christian Fuchs (Schalke, free) and Luc Castaignos (Twente, £7m) Transfer kitty £25m Already signed None Mauricio Pochettino has had a season to assess the squad at his disposal and will now be allowed to make the tweaks he has wanted.

The Guardian - Sport

The chateau at Saint-Maurice de Reméns, central to his idyllic recollections of childhood, will become the seat of an international foundation to complement another institute in Paris and a rash of renamed avenues, schools and public buildings.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "saint" in a religious context, ensure it aligns with the specific denomination's criteria for sainthood. If not referring to a formally recognized saint, consider using alternatives like "holy person" or "virtuous individual" to avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "saint" casually to describe anyone who performs a good deed. Reserve it for individuals recognized for extraordinary holiness or use more appropriate terms like "hero" or "good Samaritan" for everyday acts of kindness.

Linguistic Context

The word "saint" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a person recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness or likeness to God. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it can also function as a title preceding a name.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Books

21%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Lifestyle

7%

Film

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "saint" primarily serves as a noun to denote individuals formally recognized for exceptional holiness, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically correct, its usage should align with the context, especially when religious connotations are involved. Alternatives like "holy person" or "virtuous individual" may be preferable when not referring to officially canonized figures. Although "saint" appears in a variety of contexts, including "News & Media", "Books" and "Travel", its frequency is relatively uncommon. Therefore, according to Ludwig AI, while "saint" is appropriate in certain contexts, careful consideration of its meaning and religious implications is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

holy person

Focuses on the religious aspect of being consecrated but doesn't necessarily imply canonization.

virtuous individual

Highlights moral excellence rather than religious recognition.

righteous person

Emphasizes adherence to moral or religious laws.

blessed soul

Refers to a person who has attained divine favor, often after death.

canonized figure

Specifically refers to someone officially recognized as a saint by a church.

paragon of virtue

Highlights someone seen as a perfect example of goodness.

spiritual leader

Describes someone who guides others in their spiritual journey.

person of great piety

Emphasizes the religious devotion of an individual.

exemplary individual

Highlights the good behavior that can be imitated.

man of God

Implies a close relationship with a deity.

FAQs

How do you use "saint" in a sentence?

You can use "saint" to refer to a person recognized for their exceptional holiness, as in, "Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland." It can also be used more loosely to describe someone very virtuous, but this usage should be approached with caution.

What is the difference between a "saint" and a "holy person"?

While both terms describe someone of great spiritual merit, "saint" usually implies official recognition by a religious institution. A "holy person" may be deeply religious and virtuous, but not formally canonized.

What can I say instead of calling someone a "saint"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "virtuous individual", "righteous person", or even "hero" if you want to describe someone who is good or helpful.

Is it appropriate to call someone a "saint" sarcastically?

While language is flexible, using "saint" sarcastically can be seen as disrespectful, especially in religious contexts. Consider the audience and intent to avoid causing offense. Using a term like "good Samaritan" might be more appropriate.