clergyman

Everyday

A man who leads religious services, such as a priest, minister, vicar or rabbi. tree →

In the lessons

In history and stories: the village clergyman, a clergyman at a wedding or funeral. In everyday life: «member of the clergy» is the neutral phrase. Related: vicar, priest, pastor, minister.

Examples

• The clergyman led the wedding service. tree →
• A clergyman visited the sick in hospital. tree →
• In the story, the clergyman knew every family in the village. tree →
• The clergyman rang the church bell. tree →
• My great-uncle was a clergyman in Ireland. tree →
• The clergyman spoke kindly at the funeral. tree →
• The old clergyman, too, did not come back. tree →

Note

Plural: clergymen. The group of all religious leaders is «the clergy» (uncountable). Today many people say «member of the clergy» or «minister» to include women.