disciple
B2Formal, religious, literary, historical
Definition
Meaning
A person who follows and learns from a leader, teacher, or philosophy, especially in religious or intellectual contexts.
A follower or adherent who is committed to and spreads the teachings of a master, leader, or set of ideas.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a structured teacher-student relationship with an element of devotion and active propagation of the teachings. It is distinct from a casual 'student' or 'fan'. Historically and most commonly associated with the twelve close followers of Jesus Christ.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Primarily religious (especially Christian) or philosophical in both regions.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in religious and academic contexts; low frequency in everyday conversation in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
a disciple of [philosopher/teacher][teacher]'s discipleto be/make/become a discipleVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a disciple at the feet of (someone)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Extremely rare. Could be used metaphorically for a devoted follower of a business guru's methodology.
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, and philosophy to describe followers of a specific teacher or school of thought.
Everyday
Rare. Primarily used in religious conversations or in a metaphorical sense for a very dedicated fan.
Technical
Used in theology and historical texts as a specific term for the followers of Jesus or other religious figures.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He sought to disciple new believers in the community.
American English
- The church's mission is to disciple people into a mature faith.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. Use 'as a disciple' or 'in a disciple-like manner'.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form. Use 'as a disciple' or 'in a disciple-like manner'.)
adjective
British English
- The disciple-making process is central to their theology.
American English
- They attended a discipleship training course.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Jesus had twelve disciples.
- She was a devoted disciple of the famous yoga teacher.
- The philosopher's disciples spread his ideas throughout the continent.
- Despite being a brilliant disciple of Keynesian economics, he later developed his own heterodox theories.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DISCIPLE' and 'DISCIPLINE'. A true disciple follows the discipline taught by their master.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/FAITH IS A PATH (the disciple follows the teacher on this path); THE TEACHER IS A SOURCE (the disciple receives from this source).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not a direct equivalent of 'ученик' (pupil/student) in secular contexts.
- Closer to 'последователь' (follower) or 'апостол' (apostle) in religious contexts.
- Avoid using for a generic school or university student.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'disciple' with 'apostle' (the latter specifically implies being sent on a mission).
- Using it in casual contexts (e.g., 'He's a disciple of that football team' sounds odd).
- Misspelling as 'deciples'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'disciple' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it is most common in religious contexts. It can be used for dedicated followers of any teacher, philosopher, or system of thought (e.g., 'a disciple of Freud').
A disciple is a learner or follower. An apostle (from Greek 'apostolos' meaning 'one who is sent') is a disciple who is specifically commissioned and sent out to spread teachings. In Christianity, all apostles were disciples, but not all disciples were apostles.
Yes, though it is less common and primarily used in Christian contexts. It means to train or mentor someone as a disciple (e.g., 'to disciple new converts').
Generally positive, implying dedication and learning. However, it can be used neutrally or, in some contexts, slightly negatively to imply uncritical devotion or cult-like following.