catholic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal when referring to the religion; literary or formal when used in its extended sense.
Quick answer
What does “catholic” mean?
Relating to the Roman Catholic Church, its members, or its beliefs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to the Roman Catholic Church, its members, or its beliefs.
Including a wide variety of things; all-embracing, universal, or broad in interests, tastes, or sympathies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The primary distinction is pronunciation.
Connotations
In the religious sense, connotations are identical. The extended sense ('catholic tastes') is slightly more literary in both varieties.
Frequency
The religious sense is more frequent in both varieties. The extended sense is less common and is found more in formal or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “catholic” in a Sentence
be + Adjective (He is Catholic)have + Adjective + noun (She has catholic tastes)Noun + of (a catholicity of interests)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “catholic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She was raised in the Catholic faith.
- He has a wonderfully catholic knowledge of 20th-century cinema.
American English
- He attends a Catholic university.
- Her musical tastes are remarkably catholic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'catholic approach to marketing' meaning broad.
Academic
Common in religious studies, history, and theology. The extended sense appears in humanities critiques.
Everyday
Common in religious identification ("I'm Catholic"). The extended sense is less common in casual speech.
Technical
Primarily in theological contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “catholic”
- Capitalizing the adjective when the broad sense is intended (e.g., 'He has Catholic tastes').
- Using the lowercase form to refer to the religion.
- Mispronouncing the first vowel as in 'cat' (it's /æ/, not /ɑː/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Capital 'C' Catholic refers to the Roman Catholic Church. Lowercase 'c' catholic is an adjective meaning universal, wide-ranging, or broad in sympathies.
Yes, when used in its lowercase form, it commonly describes broad or inclusive tastes, interests, or collections (e.g., 'a catholic selection of music').
No, the pronunciation is identical (/ˈkæθ(ə)lɪk/). Only the capitalization in writing shows the difference.
The religious sense is common. The extended sense (lowercase) is less common and is considered more literary or formal.
Relating to the Roman Catholic Church, its members, or its beliefs.
Catholic is usually formal when referring to the religion; literary or formal when used in its extended sense. in register.
Catholic: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæθ(ə)lɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæθ(ə)lɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a catholic taste in music/literature”
- “catholic sympathies”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A Catholic church welcomes all; similarly, 'catholic' (small c) tastes are all-welcoming.
Conceptual Metaphor
BREADTH IS INCLUSIVENESS / UNIVERSALITY IS WHOLENESS
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'catholic' used in its non-religious, extended sense?