spoiled priest: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Potentially Offensive
Quick answer
What does “spoiled priest” mean?
A man who left or was expelled from the Catholic priesthood before ordination or after a brief time in ministry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A man who left or was expelled from the Catholic priesthood before ordination or after a brief time in ministry.
A derogatory or dismissive term for a former seminarian or priest who is perceived to have failed or abandoned his vocation, often implying weakness or moral compromise.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar but potentially more common in historically Catholic regions (e.g., Ireland, parts of the US like Boston).
Connotations
Identical negative connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse; used within specific socio-religious contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “spoiled priest” in a Sentence
He is a spoiled priest.They treated him like a spoiled priest.the story of a spoiled priestVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spoiled priest” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not used as a verb]
American English
- [Not used as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- He had that spoiled-priest look about him.
- It was a spoiled-priest novel.
American English
- He had a kind of spoiled-priest aura.
- They shared a spoiled-priest past.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, possibly in sociological or historical studies of religion.
Everyday
Very rare outside specific communities with Catholic backgrounds.
Technical
Not a canonical or theological term; used colloquially.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spoiled priest”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spoiled priest”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spoiled priest”
- Using it to describe any former religious person (it's specific to Catholic priesthood).
- Using it in formal or respectful contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a colloquial and pejorative term, not an official canonical or theological designation.
No, the term is inherently masculine, referring specifically to the Catholic priesthood which is restricted to men.
A 'defrocked priest' has been formally removed from the clerical state by the Church, often after ordination. A 'spoiled priest' typically left or failed before ordination, though it can be used loosely for any former priest.
It is very rare and archaic-sounding. It is mostly found in historical contexts, literature, or within older, traditional Catholic communities.
A man who left or was expelled from the Catholic priesthood before ordination or after a brief time in ministry.
Spoiled priest is usually informal, potentially offensive in register.
Spoiled priest: in British English it is pronounced /spɔɪld ˈpriːst/, and in American English it is pronounced /spɔɪld ˈpriːst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this phrase]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a priest's vestments that have been 'spoiled' or ruined, symbolizing a vocation that did not last.
Conceptual Metaphor
A VOCATION IS A PERFECT OBJECT (which can be spoiled or ruined). A PRIEST IS A VESSEL (which can be tainted).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'spoiled priest' most likely to be used?