predestinarian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Theological
Quick answer
What does “predestinarian” mean?
A person who believes in the doctrine of predestination.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who believes in the doctrine of predestination.
Of or relating to the theological doctrine that God has predetermined all events, especially the eternal fate of souls.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. Usage is consistent across both varieties, confined to theological and philosophical discourse.
Connotations
Neutral theological descriptor, but can carry strong ideological connotations depending on the reader's religious background.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; slightly higher frequency in academic religious studies, with no notable regional variation.
Grammar
How to Use “predestinarian” in a Sentence
[be] a predestinarian[hold] predestinarian views[argue from] a predestinarian positionVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “predestinarian” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His predestinarian convictions left no room for chance.
American English
- The sermon presented a strongly predestinarian interpretation of the scripture.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theology, philosophy of religion, and historical studies of the Reformation.
Everyday
Extremely rare, only among those discussing specific religious doctrines.
Technical
Precise theological term.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “predestinarian”
- Using it as a synonym for 'predictable'.
- Confusing it with 'predestination', which is the doctrine itself, not the believer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, specialized term used almost exclusively in theological or philosophical discussions about predestination.
Yes, it can function as both a noun (a person who holds the belief) and an adjective (relating to the belief), e.g., 'predestinarian theology'.
A fatalist believes all events are predetermined in a general, often impersonal sense. A predestinarian specifically believes in divine, theological predestination, usually within a Christian framework.
While the concept exists in several religions, the English term is most strongly associated with debates within Christianity, particularly Reformed traditions like Calvinism.
A person who believes in the doctrine of predestination.
Predestinarian is usually formal, theological in register.
Predestinarian: in British English it is pronounced /priːˌdɛstɪˈnɛːrɪən/, and in American English it is pronounced /priːˌdɛstəˈnɛriən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PRE-DESTINED + -ARIAN (like 'librarian' or 'vegetarian'): A person who believes everything is pre-destined.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A PRE-WRITTEN SCRIPT (The belief that all events are already inscribed by divine will).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'predestinarian' primarily used?