What does "apostle" mean?
A missionary, or leader of a religious mission, especially one in the early Christian Church (but see Apostle).
Apostle
/əˈpɑsl̩/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A missionary, or leader of a religious mission, especially one in the early Christian Church (but see Apostle).
- Grammar: apostle is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: aaronic priesthood, advocate, ambrose of milan, ante-nicene fathers.
- Useful contrasts: critic, detractor, layperson.
- Usage evidence: Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of nonviolence, was born in 1869.
How to use "apostle"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "apostle" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "apostle" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "apostle" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "apostle" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "apostle" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "aaronic priesthood" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "apostle", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A missionary, or leader of a religious mission, especially one in the early Christian Church (but see Apostle).
- 2 A letter dismissory.
- 3 Any of the group of twelve disciples chosen by Jesus to preach and spread the Gospel.
- 4 (New Testament) one of the original 12 disciples chosen by Christ to preach his gospel wordnet
- 5 A pioneer or early advocate of a particular cause, prophet of a belief.
"[W]e must remember what ruthless and utter destruction our own species has wrought, not only upon animals, such as the vanished bison and the dodo, but upon its own inferior races. The Tasmanians, in spite of their human likeness, were entirely swept out of existence in a war of extermination waged by European immigrants, in the space of fifty years. Are we such apostles of mercy as to complain if the Martians warred in the same spirit?"
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 A note sent to an appeals court presenting the appeal in summary.
- 7 A top-ranking ecclesiastical official in the twelve-seat Mormon administrative council.
- 8 any important early teacher of Christianity or a Christian missionary to a people wordnet
- 9 A top-ranking ecclesiastical official in the twelve seat administrative council of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- 10 The trial court record sent to an appeal court concerning an appeal.
- 11 an ardent early supporter of a cause or reform wordnet
- 12 A person who is plucked, that is, refused an academic degree. obsolete
Proper Noun
- 1 A transliteration of the Greek male given name Απόστολος (Apóstolos). A rare transcription; usually transliterated as Apostolos.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of nonviolence, was born in 1869."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "apostle"?
Common synonyms include: aaronic priesthood, advocate, ambrose of milan, ante-nicene fathers, apostolic father, athanasius.
How do you use "apostle" in a sentence?
Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of nonviolence, was born in 1869.
How do you pronounce "apostle"?
Pronounced /əˈpɑsl̩/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English apostle, from Old French apostle, from Late Latin apostolus, from Ancient Greek ἀπόστολος (apóstolos, “one sent forth, apostle”). Merged with Old English apostol, borrowing from the same Latin source.
Etymology 2
See apostil.
Etymology 3
A proprialization of apostle.