colossians: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal (Primarily Religious)
Quick answer
What does “colossians” mean?
A book of the New Testament in the Christian Bible, an epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A book of the New Testament in the Christian Bible, an epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae.
Used to refer to the content, themes, or people addressed in this specific Biblical letter.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant linguistic differences in usage. Potential minor spelling preferences (e.g., 'honour' vs. 'honor') within quoted text translations.
Connotations
Solely religious/Biblical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equal, low frequency in both, confined to religious discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “colossians” in a Sentence
[Subject: Person/Group] + [Verb: studied/read/preached] + Colossians[Preposition: In/From] + Colossians + [Verb Phrase: it says/states/teaches]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theological, religious studies, and historical biblical criticism contexts.
Everyday
Used only in religious discussion among Christians.
Technical
A specific referent in biblical canon lists, manuscript studies, and systematic theology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “colossians”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “colossians”
- Misspelling as 'Collosians' or 'Collossians'.
- Using it as a plural common noun (e.g., 'The colossians were brave' – incorrect unless specifically referring to the people of Colossae).
- Confusing it with 'Corinthians'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Colossians' comes from 'Colossae', the name of an ancient city. 'Colossal' comes from the Latin 'colossus', meaning a giant statue. They are etymologically distinct.
No. It is exclusively a proper noun. The adjective pertaining to the city or the epistle is 'Colossian' (e.g., 'the Colossian church').
The standard pronunciation is /kəˈlɒʃ(ə)nz/ (British) or /kəˈlɑːʃənz/ (American). The stress is on the second syllable, and the '-ssians' sounds like '-shuns'.
Almost exclusively in religious, theological, or biblical academic contexts. It is not used in general everyday conversation unless specifically discussing the Bible.
A book of the New Testament in the Christian Bible, an epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae.
Colossians is usually formal (primarily religious) in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COLOSSAL letter' – though the word 'colossal' isn't related, it can remind you that Colossians is a large, important letter in the Bible.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TEXT IS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'Colossians contains profound teachings').
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Colossians' primarily?