pharisee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Literary, Religious
Quick answer
What does “pharisee” mean?
A member of an ancient Jewish sect known for its strict observance of written and oral law.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of an ancient Jewish sect known for its strict observance of written and oral law.
A person who is hypocritically self-righteous or overly concerned with minor religious or moral rules, emphasizing outward observance over inner spirit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
In both regions, the pejorative sense dominates in non-specialist contexts. In religious/academic discourse, the historical sense is neutral.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British contexts due to historical religious education and literary tradition.
Grammar
How to Use “pharisee” in a Sentence
[Be/act like] a phariseeaccuse [someone] of being a phariseeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pharisee” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The pamphlet sought to pharisee its political opponents by highlighting minor inconsistencies.
adverb
British English
- He obeyed the regulations pharisaically, delighting in catching others out.
adjective
British English
- He dismissed the criticism as mere pharisee nit-picking.
American English
- Her pharisaical attitude made her unpopular with the more pragmatic staff.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Possibly in critique of corporate ethics: 'His pharisaical concern for the rulebook ignored the human cost.'
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, and literature to discuss the historical group or the concept of hypocrisy.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used as a strong insult for perceived hypocrisy, especially regarding morals or religion.
Technical
Specific to theology, biblical scholarship, and historical analysis of Second Temple Judaism.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pharisee”
- Misspelling: 'Pharasee', 'Farisee'.
- Mispronunciation: /fɑːˈriːsiː/ (stressing the wrong syllable).
- Using it as a neutral historical term without contextual clarification.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern, non-academic English, yes, it is a strong pejorative term for a hypocrite. Only in specialized historical or religious studies is it used neutrally.
'Pharisee' is a more specific and literary term. It implies hypocrisy specifically in the context of moral or religious observance, involving smugness and a focus on minor rules.
Yes, the adjective forms are 'pharisaic' or, more commonly, 'pharisaical' (/ˌfærɪˈseɪɪkəl/).
When referring specifically to the historical Jewish sect, it is capitalised (Pharisee). When used in the general pejorative sense, it is usually lowercase (pharisee).
A member of an ancient Jewish sect known for its strict observance of written and oral law.
Pharisee is usually formal, historical, literary, religious in register.
Pharisee: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfærɪsiː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɛrəˌsiː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pharisee and publican (from the biblical parable)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'FAIR I SEE' but spelled 'Pharisee' – someone who makes a great show of being fair and just, but you 'see' through their hypocrisy.
Conceptual Metaphor
HYPOCRISY IS A RELIGIOUS MASK / OUTWARD PIETY IS A FALSE FRONT.
Practice
Quiz
In modern English, the word 'pharisee' is most commonly used to mean: