Meaning

(obsolete) A churchwarden..

Definitions by Sense

1. (obsolete) A churchwarden.
2. A person (originally a man) of authority in a Christian religious organization (a church).
3. A member or adherent of an established church, especially the Church of England.

Example Sentences

The bishop, a highly placed churchman, stated the religion's opinion.

I replied, ‘I attended St. James's, St. Martin's, and St. Ann's, Soho;’—‘So,’ said he, ‘you are a churchman.’

Thus they say the king of Great Britain, must maintain episcopacy in England, and presbyterianism in Scotland, whether he be a presbyterian as king William, a Lutheran as George I. or a true churchman as his present Majesty.

It was a brave sight on a Sunday morning to see those old Tottenhamites—each with his comfortable lady-wife on his arm—proceeding in their stiff Sunday best to the morning service; pitying the Quaker friends they met on their way for their incomplete and unenlightened faith—the Quakers, of course, pitying the Churchmen for theirs.

Word Forms

• churchmen

Synonyms for churchman

Related Words

When Should You Use Churchman?

Use churchman when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions