saint thomas: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Religious, Historical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “saint thomas” mean?
A Christian disciple who doubted Jesus's resurrection until he saw and touched his wounds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Christian disciple who doubted Jesus's resurrection until he saw and touched his wounds.
1. The apostle Thomas from the New Testament. 2. The saint canonised for his missionary work and martyrdom. 3. A symbolic figure representing doubt that requires physical evidence ('Doubting Thomas'). 4. The name of various churches, schools, and places (e.g., St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands). 5. Thomas Aquinas (also a saint), a highly influential medieval theologian and philosopher.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Institutional names often follow national spelling conventions (e.g., 'St Thomas' Hospital' in London vs. 'St. Thomas University' in the US). The abbreviation 'St.' with a period is more common in American English.
Connotations
Similar religious/historical connotations in both varieties. In everyday metaphorical use ('doubting thomas'), the meaning is identical.
Frequency
Frequency is similar, tied primarily to religious, educational, or geographical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “saint thomas” in a Sentence
[Saint Thomas] + [Verb: preached, doubted, travelled][Doubting Thomas] + [Verb: required, demanded, questioned]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “saint thomas” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was Thomas-like in his need for evidence.
American English
- He pulled a full doubting-Thomas routine during the briefing.
adjective
British English
- His Thomasine doubts were finally allayed.
American English
- She had a doubting-Thomas attitude about the new policy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in the name of a company or institution.
Academic
Common in theology, philosophy (Aquinas), history, and religious studies departments.
Everyday
Primarily in religious contexts or in the metaphorical idiom 'a doubting thomas'.
Technical
Used in liturgical calendars, historical texts, and theological discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “saint thomas”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “saint thomas”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “saint thomas”
- Writing 'Saint Tomas' (incorrect spelling).
- Using lower case for the saint's full title: 'saint thomas' instead of 'Saint Thomas'.
- Confusing St. Thomas the Apostle with St. Thomas Aquinas.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to the specific saint or institutions named after him, it is a proper noun and is capitalised: Saint Thomas. The lower-case version appears only in the idiom 'a doubting thomas'.
No, they are two different saints. Saint Thomas the Apostle was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Saint Thomas Aquinas was a 13th-century Italian philosopher and theologian. Both are venerated as saints, so context is key.
It is acceptable but considered a somewhat idiomatic or figurative expression. In very formal academic writing, terms like 'sceptic' or 'empiricist' might be preferred for precision.
In British English, it is /ˈtɒməs/ (TOM-uhs). In American English, it is /ˈtɑːməs/ (TAH-muhs). The 'th' is pronounced as /t/.
A Christian disciple who doubted Jesus's resurrection until he saw and touched his wounds.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a doubting Thomas (a person who refuses to believe something without direct proof)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a saint (halo) saying 'Tom, as(s) in donkey' to remember 'Thomas' and his initial doubt.
Conceptual Metaphor
SKEPTICISM IS PHYSICAL EVIDENCE REQUIRED (as in 'a doubting Thomas').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of the idiom 'a doubting Thomas'?