monsignor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “monsignor” mean?
An honorary title conferred by the Pope on certain priests in the Roman Catholic Church.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An honorary title conferred by the Pope on certain priests in the Roman Catholic Church.
A form of address or title for a priest who has received this ecclesiastical honor. The word itself can refer to the person holding the title.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties as it pertains to a formal, international Catholic Church title. No spelling or pronunciation variations exist.
Connotations
Same in both: carries connotations of seniority, honor, and formal recognition within the Church hierarchy.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both regions, confined to Catholic contexts or historical/non-fiction writing.
Grammar
How to Use “monsignor” in a Sentence
Title: Monsignor [Surname]Referent: the/a monsignorVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, or biography contexts.
Everyday
Very rarely used outside of direct address within Catholic communities.
Technical
Specific to Catholic ecclesiology and hierarchy.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monsignor”
- Misspelling: 'monsignior', 'monsigneur'.
- Using it as a general term for any priest.
- Not capitalizing it when used as a title.
- Pronouncing the 'g' as a hard /g/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an honorary title, not a separate rank or order of ministry like bishop or cardinal. A monsignor remains a priest.
No, the title 'Monsignor' is specific to priests within the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church.
The common abbreviation is 'Mgr.' or 'Msgr.'
No, it is an exclusively Roman Catholic title derived from the Pope's authority.
An honorary title conferred by the Pope on certain priests in the Roman Catholic Church.
Monsignor is usually formal, ecclesiastical in register.
Monsignor: in British English it is pronounced /mɒnˈsiːnjə/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɑnˈsinjər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MON (like in Monday, a day) + SIGNOR (like the Italian 'signor' for Mister). It's a title for a 'Mister' in the Church.
Conceptual Metaphor
TITLE IS A BADGE OF HONOR.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'Monsignor' most appropriately used?