vicar

Everyday

1. A vicar is a priest in charge of a church and its local area (parish), especially in the Church of England. tree →
2. (old-fashioned, joking) «The vicar» in British stories and comedy is a polite, kind, slightly old-fashioned church person, often at tea parties and village fêtes. tree →

In the lessons

In British village life and stories, the vicar leads services, weddings and funerals and helps at the church fair. In religious education lessons, a vicar is one kind of Christian leader. Related: priest, minister, pastor, rector, curate.

Examples

• The vicar married my aunt and uncle in the village church. tree →
• The vicar opened the summer fair. tree →
• We visited the vicar at the vicarage. tree →
• The vicar gave a talk about kindness. tree →
• In the story, the vicar solved the mystery. tree →
• The vicar rang the church bells on Sunday. tree →

Note

Mainly British and Irish (Church of England, Church of Ireland). Catholic churches have priests; many other churches have ministers or pastors. Not the same as «vicarious» (felt through someone else), though they share a root.