What does "disciple" mean?
A person who learns from another, especially one who then teaches others.
Disciple
/dɪˈsaɪ.pəl/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A person who learns from another, especially one who then teaches others.
- Grammar: disciple is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: adherent, student, accepter, acolyte.
- Useful contrasts: ignore, leader, master.
- Usage evidence: It goes without saying that at that time a kind of friendship beyond master and disciple grew between the two of them.
How to use "disciple"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "disciple" 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 "disciple" 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 "disciple" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "disciple" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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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 person who learns from another, especially one who then teaches others.
- 2 Any of the followers of Jesus Christ.
- 3 someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another wordnet
- 4 An active follower or adherent of someone, or some philosophy etc.
"And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples."
- 5 One of the twelve disciples of Jesus sent out as Apostles.
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 A wretched, miserable-looking man. Ireland
- 7 Ellipsis of Disciple of Christ (“member of a particular religious group”). abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
Verb
- 1 To convert (a person) into a disciple. transitive
- 2 To train, educate, teach. transitive
"fraile youth is oft to follie led, / Through false allurement of that pleasing baite, / That better were in vertues discipled […]"
- 3 To train, educate, teach.; To routinely counsel (one's peer or junior) one-on-one in their discipleship of Christ, as a fellow affirmed disciple. transitive
Example
"It goes without saying that at that time a kind of friendship beyond master and disciple grew between the two of them."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "disciple"?
Common synonyms include: adherent, student, accepter, acolyte, adherent, admirer.
How do you use "disciple" in a sentence?
It goes without saying that at that time a kind of friendship beyond master and disciple grew between the two of them.
How do you pronounce "disciple"?
Pronounced /dɪˈsaɪ.pəl/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English disciple, discipul, from Old English discipul (“disciple, scholar”), from Latin discipulus (“pupil, learner”). Later influenced or superseded in Middle English by Old French deciple.
Etymology 2
A proprialization of disciple.