paraclete: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2)Formal, Religious, Literary, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “paraclete” mean?
A helper, intercessor, or comforter, especially the Holy Spirit in Christian theology.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A helper, intercessor, or comforter, especially the Holy Spirit in Christian theology.
In general use, a helper or advocate; someone who speaks or acts on behalf of another.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage difference. The word is equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical: primarily theological and learned.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British academic or theological texts due to the influence of the King James Bible, but this is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “paraclete” in a Sentence
[the/our] Paraclete (proper noun)act as (a) paraclete for [someone]serve as (a) paracleteVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “paraclete” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No verb form exists. The word is exclusively a noun.)
American English
- (No verb form exists. The word is exclusively a noun.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverb form exists. The word is exclusively a noun.)
American English
- (No adverb form exists. The word is exclusively a noun.)
adjective
British English
- (No adjective form exists. The word is exclusively a noun.)
American English
- (No adjective form exists. The word is exclusively a noun.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in theological, religious studies, or historical literature contexts. Highly specialised.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
A technical term in Christian systematic theology and biblical exegesis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “paraclete”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “paraclete”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “paraclete”
- Misspelling as 'paracleet' or 'paraklete'.
- Using it in secular contexts where 'advocate' or 'helper' would be appropriate, resulting in unnatural, pretentious language.
- Incorrect capitalisation: 'paraclete' should be capitalised ('Paraclete') only when referring specifically to the Holy Spirit.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is capitalised when used as a proper noun referring specifically to the Holy Spirit (e.g., 'the Paraclete'). In rare, generalised secular use, lowercase is possible (e.g., 'a paraclete for the poor'), but this is extremely uncommon.
It comes from the Greek 'paraklētos' (παράκλητος), meaning 'called to one's aid', hence 'advocate' or 'intercessor'. It entered English via Late Latin 'paraclētus'.
No. While one sense of the original Greek is 'advocate', the English word 'paraclete' carries overwhelming theological connotations. Using it for a secular lawyer would sound archaic, pretentious, or deliberately metaphorical.
It is a highly specialised theological term with a very narrow semantic field. Its meaning is fully covered by more common words like 'comforter', 'helper', or 'advocate' in non-religious contexts.
A helper, intercessor, or comforter, especially the Holy Spirit in Christian theology.
Paraclete is usually formal, religious, literary, archaic in register.
Paraclete: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpærəkliːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpærəˌkliːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(no common idioms; theological phrases like 'gift of the Paraclete' are set phrases)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PARA + CLETE: Imagine a PARA-trooper coming to your aid (a helper) named CLETE. PARA-chute + comforter = PARACLETE, the divine helper.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPIRIT/HELPER IS A PERSONAL ADVOCATE (e.g., 'The Paraclete will teach you all things').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'paraclete' MOST appropriately used?