friar

Everyday

1. (church) A man who belongs to a Christian religious order, such as the Franciscans or Dominicans, who has promised to live simply and travels among people to preach and help the poor. tree →
2. Used as a title before a name: Friar Tuck. tree →

In the lessons

In history and church lessons, friars appeared in medieval Europe; unlike monks, who mostly stay in a monastery, friars went out into towns to preach, teach and help the poor. In stories, Friar Tuck is the jolly friar in Robin Hood. Phrases: «Franciscan friar», «Friar Tuck».

Examples

• Friar Tuck was a jolly friend of Robin Hood. tree →
• The friar walked from town to town, preaching. tree →
• Franciscan friars wear brown robes. tree →
• Friars promised to live simply and own very little. tree →
• The old friary was where friars once lived. tree →
• A friar gave bread to the poor at the gate. tree →
• Friar Bacon was defrauded of his labour in producing the Brazen Head in a similar way. tree →

Note

Countable. Pronounced «FRY-er», the same as «fryer» (a pan or machine for frying): a homophone. A friar is not quite the same as a monk: monks mainly live in a monastery, friars work out among people.