postulant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Formal, Ecclesiastical, Legal
Quick answer
What does “postulant” mean?
A candidate, especially one seeking admission to a religious order or some other institution.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A candidate, especially one seeking admission to a religious order or some other institution.
A person who formally requests or petitions for something, such as a position, office, or membership in a formal organization. This can extend to applicants for academic programs, legal roles, or any process requiring a formal petition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in definition. Slightly more common in UK ecclesiastical contexts due to historical church structures.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries connotations of solemnity, tradition, and formal procedure.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, primarily used in specific religious, academic (e.g., Oxbridge), or historical/ceremonial contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “postulant” in a Sentence
postulant for + [institution/role] (a postulant for the monastery)postulant + [verb of becoming/entering] (She became a postulant.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “postulant” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bishop will postulant the young women next Sunday.
- She hopes to postulant for the sisterhood.
American English
- The abbey does not postulant candidates under 21.
- He decided to postulant for holy orders.
adverb
British English
- She applied postulantly to the order.
- He waited postulantly for a response.
American English
- They lived postulantly during the probation.
- She listened postulantly to the mother superior.
adjective
British English
- The postulant period lasts for six months.
- She wore a simple postulant dress.
American English
- He is in his postulant year at the seminary.
- The postulant requirements are listed in the handbook.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical or theological studies to describe candidates for religious life or, rarely, for certain fellowships.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would be misunderstood by most speakers.
Technical
Technical term within Catholic, Anglican, and some other Christian denominations for a person in the first stage of joining a religious order.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “postulant”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “postulant”
- Using it for a regular job applicant.
- Pronouncing it as /poʊˈstuːlənt/ (like 'postulate').
- Confusing it with 'postulator' (one who advances a cause).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both derive from Latin 'postulare' meaning 'to ask, demand'. A 'postulate' is something asked to be accepted as true, a 'postulant' is one who asks to be accepted.
It would be highly unusual and incorrect in modern usage. Use 'applicant' or 'candidate'. 'Postulant' is restricted to very formal, often religious or historical, petitions.
In many religious orders, a postulant is in the first, informal stage of exploration. A novice is the next formal stage, having taken initial vows and wearing the habit, undergoing structured training.
The standard American pronunciation is /ˈpɑːstʃələnt/ (PAH-stchuh-luhnt), with the 't' softening to a 'ch' sound before the 'u'.
A candidate, especially one seeking admission to a religious order or some other institution.
Postulant is usually formal, ecclesiastical, legal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'POSTULANT' as someone who POSTS a formal request (a petition) to ENTER something serious, like a convent.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / A FORMAL PROCESS: The postulant is at the starting gate or submitting their paperwork for a transformative journey.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'postulant' MOST appropriately used?