clergywoman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “clergywoman” mean?
A woman who is a member of the clergy, especially in a Christian church.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman who is a member of the clergy, especially in a Christian church.
A female religious leader or ordained minister authorized to perform religious ceremonies and provide spiritual guidance. The term is specifically gendered, distinguishing her from a clergyman.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, though the term is less common in both varieties than 'clergyman' or generic 'clergy'. In the UK, it may be associated with the Church of England's ordination of women (since 1994). In the US, it is used across various Protestant denominations.
Connotations
Can carry connotations of modernity, progressive change, or gender equality within religious institutions. In very traditional contexts, its use might be contested.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech; more frequent in formal religious, news, or academic writing discussing gender and religion.
Grammar
How to Use “clergywoman” in a Sentence
[clergywoman] + [verb: leads, officiated, preached][adjective] + [clergywoman]the first [clergywoman] to [verb]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clergywoman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The diocese voted to clergywoman the parish, appointing Rev. Davies.
- [Note: Extremely rare/neologistic]
American English
- The congregation sought to clergywoman the position after the retirement of their male pastor.
- [Note: Extremely rare/neologistic]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- The clergywoman perspective was vital in the synod debate.
- [Note: 'Clergywoman' is not standard as an adjective; 'female clergy' is preferred]
American English
- She brought a unique clergywoman insight to the council.
- [Note: 'Clergywoman' is not standard as an adjective; 'female clergy' is preferred]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, sociology, and gender studies texts discussing female ordination.
Everyday
Rare; used in news reports or formal discussions about specific women in religious roles.
Technical
Used in ecclesiastical/legal documents pertaining to ordained ministry.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clergywoman”
- Using 'clergywoman' as a generic term for all clergy (use 'clergy').
- Misspelling as 'clergywomen' for singular (that's plural).
- Assuming it applies to nuns (it typically refers to ordained ministers, not monastics).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A clergywoman is typically an ordained minister who leads congregations and performs sacraments (like a priest or pastor). A nun is a woman who lives in a religious community under vows but is not usually ordained to lead public ministry in the same way.
The plural is 'clergywomen'.
It is a standard, descriptive term. Some prefer gender-neutral terms like 'clergy' or 'clergyperson', while others use 'clergywoman' to explicitly affirm female identity in the role. Context and personal preference matter.
It is most closely associated with Christian contexts. For other religions, more specific terms are used (e.g., 'rabbah' for a female rabbi in Judaism, 'woman imam' in Islam). Using 'clergywoman' for other faiths may be seen as imposing a Christian framework.
A woman who is a member of the clergy, especially in a Christian church.
Clergywoman is usually formal, ecclesiastical in register.
Clergywoman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklɜːdʒiˌwʊmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklɜːrdʒiˌwʊmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CLERGY (religious officials) + WOMAN. A clergywoman is a woman among the clergy.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY IS A (GENDERED) OFFICE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST accurate description of a 'clergywoman'?