mary magdalene: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Religious / Historical
Quick answer
What does “mary magdalene” mean?
A female follower of Jesus Christ, one of the most prominent women in the Gospels, known for being a witness to the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A female follower of Jesus Christ, one of the most prominent women in the Gospels, known for being a witness to the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
A historical and religious figure who has been variously interpreted throughout history, often associated with themes of repentance, devotion, and female discipleship; sometimes conflated with other biblical women.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or spelling. Pronunciation differences are minor and follow general UK/US patterns.
Connotations
Identical religious/historical connotations. In literary or allusive use, the penitent aspect may be slightly more emphasized in older British literary contexts.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing primarily in religious, historical, artistic, or academic discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “mary magdalene” in a Sentence
[Proper noun as subject] + [verb of witnessing/action] (e.g., Mary Magdalene witnessed...)[Prepositional phrase] + [references] (e.g., In the story of Mary Magdalene...)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mary magdalene” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Magdalene chapel is on the left.
- Magdalene College, Cambridge, is pronounced 'Maudlin'.
American English
- She gave a Magdalene interpretation of the text.
- The Magdalene tradition varies between denominations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theological, biblical studies, historical, art history, and gender studies contexts.
Everyday
Rare, except in religious discussion or cultural references (e.g., films, novels).
Technical
Used as a specific referent in biblical exegesis and historical analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mary magdalene”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mary magdalene”
- Misspelling as 'Mary Magdelene' or 'Mary Magdaline'. Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a mary magdalene'). Incorrectly stating she was a prostitute (a later tradition not in the Bible).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, this is a later tradition that conflated her with other unnamed women in the Gospels. The Bible does not state this.
It signifies she was from Magdala, a town on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is a locative identifier.
She is a primary witness to the foundational events of Christianity (crucifixion and resurrection) and is mentioned more than most apostles in the Gospels.
In British English, it is commonly /ˈmæɡdəlɪn/. In American English, it is often /ˈmæɡdəliːn/ with a clearer long 'ee' sound at the end.
A female follower of Jesus Christ, one of the most prominent women in the Gospels, known for being a witness to the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
Mary magdalene is usually formal / religious / historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Magdalene moment (rare, alluding to a moment of penitence or profound realisation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Mary from Magdala' (her hometown) – Mary Magdala-ene.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEVOTION IS FOLLOWING; REPENTANCE IS CLEANSING; WITNESSING IS SEEING.
Practice
Quiz
What is Mary Magdalene NOT traditionally known as in scholarly consensus?