anglican: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Religious, Historical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “anglican” mean?
Relating to the Church of England or the worldwide Anglican Communion, a Christian tradition that evolved from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to the Church of England or the worldwide Anglican Communion, a Christian tradition that evolved from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation.
Pertaining to a tradition within Christianity characterized by a blend of Protestant theological principles and Catholic liturgical forms; sometimes used more loosely to describe something characteristic of English religious or cultural tradition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Anglican' is the standard term for the established Church of England and its members. In the US, it refers specifically to the Episcopal Church (the US member of the Anglican Communion). The term is more common in the UK due to the state church.
Connotations
In the UK, it can have establishment, historical, and sometimes traditionalist connotations. In the US, it often carries connotations of being a liturgical, 'high-church' alternative within Protestantism.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English due to cultural and institutional prominence. In US English, 'Episcopalian' is often used interchangeably with 'Anglican' for members, though 'Anglican' is the formal denominational adjective.
Grammar
How to Use “anglican” in a Sentence
[be] Anglican[identify as] Anglican[become] Anglicanthe Anglican [church/communion/tradition]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anglican” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- As an Anglican, he attends services every Sunday.
- The conference brought together Anglicans from across the province.
- She was raised an Anglican but later explored other faiths.
American English
- Many Anglicans in the US prefer the term 'Episcopalian'.
- The decision was controversial among conservative Anglicans.
- He became an Anglican after his marriage.
adjective
British English
- The Anglican diocese published new guidelines for clergy.
- She comes from a long line of Anglican ministers.
- The debate focused on Anglican doctrine and modern society.
American English
- The Anglican parish in Boston dates to the 18th century.
- He appreciates the Anglican liturgical tradition.
- There was a split within the Anglican community over the issue.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like church administration or heritage property.
Academic
Common in religious studies, history, theology, and sociology of religion.
Everyday
Used in discussions of religion, identity, or heritage, especially in the UK and Commonwealth nations.
Technical
Used in ecclesiology, liturgical studies, and denominational histories.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anglican”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anglican”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anglican”
- Using 'Anglican' to mean simply 'English' (e.g., 'Anglican literature' is incorrect; use 'English literature').
- Confusing 'Anglican' with 'Anglo-Saxon' (which refers to early English people/culture).
- Misspelling as 'Angelican'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Anglicanism originated from the Church of England's separation from the authority of the Pope in the 16th century. While it retains many Catholic liturgical practices, its theology and governance are Protestant and Reformed. The term 'Catholic' typically refers to the Roman Catholic Church under papal authority.
No. The Church of England is the founding church, but the Anglican Communion is a global family of autonomous national or regional churches (e.g., the Episcopal Church in the US, the Anglican Church of Canada, the Church of Nigeria) in full communion with the See of Canterbury.
Yes. An 'Anglican' is a member or adherent of an Anglican church (e.g., 'She is an Anglican').
It's a Latin term meaning 'middle way,' historically used to describe the Anglican ambition to be a reformist tradition that navigated a path between the Protestantism of the Continental Reformers and the Roman Catholicism of the pre-Reformation church, combining elements of both.
Relating to the Church of England or the worldwide Anglican Communion, a Christian tradition that evolved from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation.
Anglican is usually formal, religious, historical, academic in register.
Anglican: in British English it is pronounced /ˈaŋɡlɪkən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæŋɡlɪkən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the Anglican via media”
- “to swim the Tiber (i.e., convert to Roman Catholicism, often from Anglicanism)”
- “to go over to Canterbury (i.e., join the Anglican church)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ANGILCan' – the English (Anglo-) CAN establish a church (as in the Church of England).
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGIOUS IDENTITY IS A BRANCH (e.g., the Anglican branch of Christianity); TRADITION IS A PATH (the via media).
Practice
Quiz
In which country might the term 'Episcopalian' be commonly used as a near-synonym for 'Anglican'?