christian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighFormal, Informal, Religious
Quick answer
What does “christian” mean?
A follower of the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A follower of the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
A person who has received Christian baptism or is a believer in Christianity; pertaining to Christianity, its followers, or showing qualities associated with it, such as kindness, charity, and forgiveness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'Christian name' is more common in BrE, whereas 'first name' or 'given name' is preferred in AmE. AmE may use 'Christian' more frequently in public discourse due to higher religiosity metrics.
Connotations
Generally neutral to positive. In secular contexts, specifying 'Christian' can sometimes be seen as marking a non-default identity.
Frequency
Higher frequency in countries with significant Christian populations; common in religious, historical, and cultural discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “christian” in a Sentence
[be/become] a Christian[identify as] Christian[adjective] ChristianChristian [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “christian” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The missionary sought to christianise the remote tribe.
- The child was christened in the local parish church.
American English
- Efforts to christianize the region increased in the 19th century.
- They decided to christen their son 'Matthew'.
adverb
British English
- He acted christianly by forgiving the debt. (Rare, archaic)
American English
- She strove to live christianly according to her beliefs. (Rare, archaic)
adjective
British English
- She comes from a strong Christian background.
- It was a truly Christian act of forgiveness.
American English
- They attend a Christian church every Sunday.
- His actions reflected Christian charity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like 'Christian-owned business' or corporate social responsibility linked to 'Christian values'.
Academic
Common in religious studies, history, sociology, and theology to denote a religious affiliation, cultural identity, or historical period (e.g., late Christian antiquity).
Everyday
Common for stating religious identity, referring to holidays (Christmas, Easter), or describing charitable/forgiving behaviour metaphorically.
Technical
In theology, specifies doctrines, texts, or traditions (e.g., Christian hermeneutics, Christian eschatology).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “christian”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “christian”
- Using lowercase 'c' for the religious noun/adjective in modern English (e.g., 'He is a christian'). Correct: 'He is a Christian.'
- Misspelling as 'Chistian' or 'Christain'.
- Overusing as a general synonym for 'good person'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to the religion or its adherents, it is a proper noun and must be capitalized. The lowercase form is archaic except in 'christian name'.
Yes, descriptively for things originating from Christian culture (e.g., Christian art) or metaphorically for virtues associated with Christianity (e.g., Christian forgiveness).
'Christian' (capitalized) refers to the religion. The lowercase 'christian' is obsolete except in the fixed phrase 'christian name' (meaning first name). Using lowercase for the religion is incorrect.
Yes, the term encompasses many denominations and traditions (e.g., Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Evangelical), each with varying beliefs and practices.
A follower of the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Christian is usually formal, informal, religious in register.
Christian: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪstʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪstʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a good Christian soul”
- “turn the other cheek (associated Christian principle)”
- “the milk of human kindness (sometimes linked to Christian charity)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CHRIST' in 'Christian'. A Christian is a person whose life is centered on Jesus CHRIST.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHRISTIANITY IS A JOURNEY / PATH (e.g., 'walk with Christ', 'faith journey'). A CHRISTIAN IS A SOLDIER (e.g., 'soldier of Christ', 'spiritual warfare').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate synonym for 'Christian' in the sentence: 'He was known for his Christian compassion'?