church
church
Pronunciation
General American: /ˈtʃɝtʃ/
Received Pronunciation (UK): /tʃɜːtʃ/
/tʃ/: This is an affricate consonant, a single sound that combines a "t" sound with a "sh" sound, like the "ch" in "cheese."
/ɝ/ (General American) or /ɜː/ (Received Pronunciation): This is the vowel sound, known as the "r-colored vowel" in American English or the "nurse" vowel in British English. It's the "ur" sound in "fur" or "bird."
/tʃ/: The same affricate consonant as at the beginning of the word, like the "ch" in "watch."
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: church
Plural Noun: churches
Verb (base form): church (This is less common in everyday usage, but it does exist, meaning to conduct religious services in a church or to bring into a church.)
Verb (third-person singular present): churches (e.g., "He churches every Sunday.")
Verb (present participle/gerund): churching (e.g., "They are churching the new members.")
Verb (past tense): churched (e.g., "They churched the congregation yesterday.")
Verb (past participle): churched (e.g., "The couple was churched last month.")
While less common as direct word forms, you could also consider:
Adjective: churchly (e.g., "a churchly atmosphere")
Adjective: churchgoing (e.g., "a churchgoing family")
Adverb: churchward (meaning towards a church)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A building or place designated for public Christian worship, often characterized by its distinctive architecture and the communal gathering of believers.
Synonyms: chapel, cathedral, basilica, minster, tabernacle, house of God, house of worship, sanctuary
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a place of worship, but conceptually: secular building, public hall, private residence)
The collective body of all Christians, or a particular denomination or congregation of Christians, viewed as a unified spiritual entity.
Synonyms: Christendom, Christianity, the faithful, the congregation, the flock, denomination, sect
Antonyms: (No direct antonym for the collective body of Christians, but conceptually: atheism, secularism, non-believers, the unchurched)
A formal religious organization or institution, encompassing its doctrines, practices, and governance.
Synonyms: institution, religious body, communion, organized religion
Antonyms: (No direct antonym, but conceptually: independent worship, unorganized faith, private spirituality)
Verb
(Transitive, often archaic or formal) To perform a religious ceremony or service, especially one to give thanks for the safe delivery of a child or to admit someone into the communion of the church.
Synonyms: bless, sanctify, consecrate, solemnize
Antonyms: secularize, unchurch (in the sense of removing from church membership)
(Intransitive, informal) To attend church services regularly.
Synonyms: worship, attend services, go to church
Antonyms: skip church, avoid services, apostatize (stronger meaning of abandoning faith)
Adjective (from derived forms)
Churchly: Relating to, characteristic of, or appropriate for a church or religious practices; pious or devout in a traditional religious manner.
Synonyms: ecclesiastical, religious, devout, pious, sacred, holy
Antonyms: secular, worldly, profane, irreligious, unholy
Churchgoing: Regularly attending church services.
Synonyms: devout, observant, religious, pious
Antonyms: non-churchgoing, irreligious, secular, unchurched
Adverb (from derived forms)
Churchward: In the direction of a church.
Synonyms: towards the church
Antonyms: away from the church
Examples of Use
Books:
"Every Sunday, the small village gathered at the church for morning service, a tradition stretching back generations." (Fictional narrative, general use)
"The reformation dramatically altered the structure and power of the Church in Europe, leading to new denominations and conflicts." (Historical non-fiction, referring to the institution)
"She was churched on the third Sunday after her son's birth, a quiet ceremony of thanks and blessing." (Historical fiction, illustrating the verb "to church")
Newspapers:
"Local churches are organizing food drives to support families affected by the recent floods." (Nairobi News, referring to multiple church buildings/congregations)
"The Archbishop called for unity within the Church amidst growing theological debates." (The Daily Nation, referring to the broader religious institution)
"A spokesperson stated that the community was 'churchgoing and devout,' emphasizing their commitment to faith." (The Standard,using the adjective "churchgoing")
Online Publications:
"Why are young people leaving the church? A discussion on faith and modernity." (Religion News Service, online article, referring to the institution/organized religion)
"Experience the stunning stained glass windows of Notre Dame Cathedral, a truly iconic church." (Lonely Planet Travel Blog, online article, referring to a specific church building)
"The band's new album features gospel influences, with lyrics that often church traditional hymns into contemporary pop." (Pitchfork, music review, using "church" as a verb, meaning to transform or incorporate elements into a church-like style, though this is a less common, more creative usage)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The scene opens with a wide shot of a crumbling old church on a windswept hill." (From a film screenplay description, referring to a building)
Television Series: "Is he still churching every Sunday, or has he finally found a hobby?" (Dialogue from a TV drama, using "churching" as a verb, meaning attending church)
Music (Song Lyrics): "Take me to church, I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies." (From Hozier's "Take Me to Church," using "church" to denote a place of intense devotion, even if ironically)
Podcasts: "Our guest today will discuss the role of the church in social justice movements." (From a podcast episode description, referring to the institution)
Video Games: "Players must navigate through the haunted church to find the ancient relic." (From a video game plot description, referring to a building)
General Public Discourse:
"We're having the wedding at the old stone church down the road." (Casual conversation, referring to a building)
"My grandmother is very churchgoing; she never misses a service." (Everyday conversation, using the adjective)
"He tried to church his political beliefs, but they were too radical for the congregation." (Figurative use, implying an attempt to make something seem religiously acceptable or aligned with church teachings)
"The community centre used to be a church before it was repurposed." (Informal discussion, referring to a building's past function)
10 Famous Quotes Using Church
"The Church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners." (Attributed to various sources, often cited with St. Augustine or other early Christian figures)
"Where there is love, there is no need of a church." (Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov)
"I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar, and often convincing. The only thing worse than an argument is a lie. I tell my people to go to church and pray." (Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest)
"Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." (Jesus Christ, from the Bible, Matthew 22:21 – often interpreted in discussions of the separation of church and state)
"A man can be happy with any woman, as long as he does not love her. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. I am not an atheist, but I do not believe in the church." (Attributed to Edmund Burke, though the precise quote is contested, the sentiment regarding the institution of the church is present in his writings.)
"No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. The church is a hospital, not a home." (Attributed to Buddha, though often a paraphrase or adaptation of his teachings; reflects a metaphorical use of "church")
"I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute – where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote." (John F. Kennedy, "Speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association," 1960)
"My country is the world; my countrymen are all mankind. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. To deny our own impulses is to deny the very thing that makes us human. I often went to church not because I believed, but because I liked the stories." (Mark Twain, Autobiography)
"The church has been the biggest stumbling block in the way of woman's emancipation." (Elizabeth Cady Stanton, History of Woman Suffrage)
"The church is the only institution that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members." (William Temple, former Archbishop of Canterbury)
Etymology
The word "church" has a fascinating journey through different languages!
It ultimately comes from an ancient Greek phrase: "kuriakē oikia" (κυριακὴ οἰκία), which literally means "Lord's house." This phrase was used to refer to a place where Christians gathered for worship, a building dedicated to "the Lord."
Over time, this Greek phrase was shortened to just "kuriakon" (κυριακόν), meaning "of the Lord."
This Greek word then made its way into the early Germanic languages. In Proto-Germanic, it became something like "kirika". From there, it evolved into Old English as "cirice" or "circe."
The first known use of the word "cirice" in Old English, dating back to before the 12th century, already carried the main meanings we associate with "church" today:
A place of assembly set aside for Christian worship (the building).
The body of Christian believers, or Christians collectively (the people).
So, from a phrase meaning "Lord's house" in ancient Greek, the word traveled through various languages, eventually becoming our "church," encompassing both the physical building and the community of believers. It's interesting to note that while "church" comes from this Greek root, another important Greek word, "ekklesia" (ἐκκλησία), meaning "assembly" or "called-out ones," is what's actually used in the New Testament to describe the Christian community. Many other European languages (like French "église" or Spanish "iglesia") use words derived from "ekklesia" instead of the "kuriakon" lineage that gave us "church."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Church
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "church":
Church and state: Refers to the principle of separation between religious institutions and government.
Go to church: To attend a religious service, typically in a Christian place of worship.
Run of the church: (Lesser-known/Archaic) To have free access to all parts of a church; sometimes used metaphorically to mean having unrestricted access or privilege within an organization.
The church militant: Refers to the Christian Church on Earth, engaged in spiritual warfare against evil.
The church triumphant: Refers to the Christian Church in heaven, consisting of those who have died and are in God's presence.
The church bell(s): Refers to the bell(s) in a church tower, often rung to call people to worship or mark significant times.
Church key: An informal term for a bottle opener, especially one used for cans.
Like a church mouse: Extremely poor or meek. (Often "poor as a church mouse")
To church someone: (Formal/Archaic) To conduct a ceremony in a church for someone, typically after childbirth to give thanks.
Church picnic/supper: A social gathering, often with food, organized by a church community.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of church from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
