therese de lisieux: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Religious
Quick answer
What does “therese de lisieux” mean?
The name of a French Catholic saint, specifically Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (born Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The name of a French Catholic saint, specifically Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (born Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin).
Refers to the person, her writings (especially "The Story of a Soul"), her spiritual doctrine (the "Little Way"), and the associated cult and iconography within Catholicism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British English may retain the French acute accent (Thérèse) more consistently. American English often uses the unaccented form (Therese) in common print.
Connotations
Identical religious and historical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Frequency is equally low in both varieties, confined to specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “therese de lisieux” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] + 'of Lisieux'Saint + [Proper Noun]the + [Proper Noun] + 'Little Way'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “therese de lisieux” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Her Theresian spirituality is very popular.
- The Theresian 'Little Way' emphasises humility.
American English
- Her Theresian spirituality is very popular.
- The Theresian 'Little Way' emphasizes humility.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, history, and gender studies contexts discussing her life, writings, or influence.
Everyday
Used in Catholic devotional contexts, personal prayer, and parish discussions.
Technical
Used in Catholic hagiography, canon law documents (referring to her as a Doctor of the Church), and liturgical calendars.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “therese de lisieux”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “therese de lisieux”
- Misspelling as 'Theresa of Lisieux' (Theresa is an English/German form; the French is Thérèse/Therese).
- Incorrect preposition: 'Therese from Lisieux' (should be 'of Lisieux').
- Mispronouncing 'Lisieux' with a hard 'x' sound (it's /ˈlɪz.juː/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are acceptable. 'Thérèse' is the original French spelling. In English texts, especially without accent marks available, 'Therese' is standard.
It was her own metaphor for her life—seeing herself as a simple, small flower in God's garden, offering her life through love in small, unseen ways.
It is a title given to saints whose writings are deemed to have significant theological value and orthodox teaching for the universal Church. She is one of only four women with this title.
No, they are completely different individuals. Mother Teresa (1910–1997) was an Albanian-Indian Catholic nun who worked in Kolkata. Therese de Lisieux (1873–1897) was a French Carmelite nun who never left her convent.
The name of a French Catholic saint, specifically Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (born Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin).
Therese de lisieux is usually formal, religious in register.
Therese de lisieux: in British English it is pronounced /təˈrɛz də liːˈzjɜː/, and in American English it is pronounced /təˈrɛz də liˈzju/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'There is a Little Flower in LISIEUX' – linking her nickname 'The Little Flower' to her place name.
Conceptual Metaphor
SAINT AS GUIDE / TEACHER: "Therese de Lisieux shows us the 'Little Way'."
Practice
Quiz
What is the central spiritual teaching associated with Therese de Lisieux?