breviary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “breviary” mean?
A book containing the daily prayers and psalms of the Divine Office, used in Catholic liturgy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A book containing the daily prayers and psalms of the Divine Office, used in Catholic liturgy.
Any concise or abridged book; sometimes used metaphorically for a short summary or digest of a larger work.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare and specific in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly associated with Catholic tradition, monastic life, and formal liturgical practice.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Exclusively found in religious, historical, or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “breviary” in a Sentence
to consult one's breviaryto recite the breviarythe breviary of [institution, e.g., the Dominican order]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, or religious studies contexts to refer to the specific liturgical book.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
A precise term in Catholic liturgy and ecclesiastical history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “breviary”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “breviary”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “breviary”
- Using it as a synonym for any short book or summary in general contexts.
- Pronouncing it as /brəˈvaɪəri/ (like 'bravery').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A breviary contains prayers, psalms, hymns, and readings arranged for the Liturgy of the Hours. It includes excerpts from the Bible but is a distinct liturgical book.
Yes. While historically associated with clergy and religious orders, many lay Catholics now use the Liturgy of the Hours (breviary) for personal prayer.
A breviary is for the Divine Office (prayers at set hours throughout the day). A missal is for the Mass (the Eucharistic liturgy).
Very rarely and only in a literary or metaphorical sense to mean a concise digest or summary of a larger subject (e.g., 'a breviary of existentialist thought'). This usage is exceptional.
A book containing the daily prayers and psalms of the Divine Office, used in Catholic liturgy.
Breviary is usually formal, ecclesiastical in register.
Breviary: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbriːviəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbriːvieri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BRIEF-ary' – a book for BRIEF, regular prayers throughout the day, not a long sermon.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BREVIARY IS A MAP FOR DAILY PRAYER (it guides the user through a prescribed spiritual journey each day).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'breviary' most accurately used?