What does "christian" mean?
A believer in Christianity.
Christian
/ˈkɹɪʃt͡ʃən/ adj, name, noun
adj, name, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A believer in Christianity.
- Grammar: christian is listed as adj, name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: accepted, accepter, adherent, adoring.
- Useful contrasts: agnostic, atheist, corrupt.
- Usage evidence: The settlers embraced the Christian religion.
How to use "christian"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "christian" 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 "christian" 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 "christian" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "christian" 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 "christian" is acting as adj, 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 "accepted" 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 "christian", 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 believer in Christianity.
"Shyl.... If a Iewe wrong a Christian, what is his humillity, reuenge? If a Christian wrong a Iewe, what should his sufferance be by Christian example, why reuenge? The villanie you teach me I will execute, and it shall goe hard but I will better the instruction."
- 2 Uncommon spelling of Christian. alt-of, uncommon
"[…] I ſtopt ſhort, and, pocketting my ducats in a great hurry, took out ſome rials, approached the hat, that was expoſed for the reception of charity extorted from chriſtians by fear, and dropt them into it, one after another, that the beggar might ſee how nobly I uſed him."
- 3 a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination wordnet
- 4 A believer in Christianity.; An adherent of Christianity who is not a Catholic; a Protestant. nonstandard
"On the contrary, many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Christians and Catholics, including heterosexual allies of lesbians and gay Christians, of them, have voiced their opinions on the complicated issues of religion and sexuality."
- 5 A person who seeks to live his or her life according to the principles and values taught by Jesus Christ.
"Ye lyfe of euery christian, is as a pilgremage."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A European, especially though not necessarily of the Christian religion. England, obsolete
Adjective
- 1 Of, like or relating to Christianity or Christians. not-comparable
- 2 Uncommon spelling of Christian. alt-of, uncommon
"When I employ myſelf upon a paper of morality, I generally conſider how I may recommend the particular virtue which I treat of, by the precepts or examples of the ancient heathens; by that means, if poſſible, to ſhame thoſe who have greater advantages of knowing their duty, and therefore greater obligations to perform it, into a better courſe of life: beſides that many among us are unreaſonably diſpoſed to give a fairer hearing to a pagan philoſopher, than to a chriſtian writer."
- 3 Of, like or relating to Christianity or Christians.; Of, like or relating to Protestant Christians. nonstandard, not-comparable
"While Christian churches allow lay believers in Jesus to do exorcism, Catholics limit the practice to selected priests."
- 4 Of, like or relating to Jesus Christ. not-comparable
- 5 Kind, charitable; moral; a term of approbation.
"That’s very Christian of you."
Adjective
- 1 following the teachings or manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus Christ wordnet
- 2 relating to or characteristic of Christianity wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A male given name from Ancient Greek found in England since the twelfth century. countable, uncountable
"Roughly 40 to 45 percent of Signature’s gynecomastia patients, says co-founder Christian Gotti, are users of Image- and Performance-Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs)."
- 2 A female given name from Ancient Greek of medieval usage, rare today. countable, uncountable
- 3 A surname originating as a patronymic. countable, uncountable
- 4 An unincorporated community in Logan County, West Virginia, United States. countable, uncountable
Example
"The settlers embraced the Christian religion."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "christian"?
Common synonyms include: accepted, accepter, adherent, adoring, affectionate, affiliation.
How do you use "christian" in a sentence?
The settlers embraced the Christian religion.
How do you pronounce "christian"?
Pronounced /ˈkɹɪʃt͡ʃən/.
Etymology
From Middle English Cristien, from Old French chrestien, from Latin Chrīstiānus, from Ancient Greek Χρῑστιᾱνός (Khrīstiānós), from Χρῑστός (Khrīstós, “Christ, anointed [one]”) + Latin suffix -ānus. The older form is Christen. Doublet of cretin. By surface analysis, Christ + -ian.