padre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, specific to military or historical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “padre” mean?
A Christian priest, especially in the armed forces.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Christian priest, especially in the armed forces.
A term of address or reference for a father, used informally or in some cultural contexts (e.g., Italian, Spanish). In English, it is most commonly used to denote a military chaplain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar in both varieties, being most common in military contexts. In British English, it may be slightly more established due to historical army and colonial connections.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of familiarity and respect within a military unit. Can sound slightly archaic or quaint in civilian use.
Frequency
Rare in general discourse. Its frequency is context-dependent, occurring almost exclusively in military, historical, or specific cultural narratives.
Grammar
How to Use “padre” in a Sentence
Padre of [military unit]Padre to [group of people]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical or religious studies texts discussing military or colonial history.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used humorously or affectionately to refer to a father figure or a priest in a community.
Technical
Standard term within military jargon for a chaplain.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “padre”
- Using 'padre' to refer to one's own father in standard English.
- Capitalizing it when not used as a title or direct address (e.g., 'The Padre arrived' vs. 'The padre arrived').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, this is a common mistake. In English, 'padre' is not a standard synonym for 'father'. It is a specific term for a priest, especially a military chaplain.
It is informal within its specific context (e.g., soldiers addressing their chaplain). However, it is not slang; it's a established term within military register.
The primary difference is in the vowel length. British English uses a long /ɑː/ in the first syllable, while American English uses a shorter /ɑ/. The final vowel is typically /eɪ/ in both.
Yes, it is commonly used in the army, navy, and air force to refer to a chaplain, though its origin is particularly associated with the army.
A Christian priest, especially in the armed forces.
Padre: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɑːdreɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɑdreɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Padre on deck (informal naval/military)”
- “Like a padre (acting in a priestly manner)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a military father (padre) figure giving spiritual support to troops.
Conceptual Metaphor
FATHER IS A SPIRITUAL LEADER (The padre is the 'father' of the battalion).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'padre' most appropriately used in modern English?