French word

curé

Pronunciation

IPA/kyʁe/

Meaning

  • masculine nounparish priest

Example

Le curé a béni la maison.

The parish priest blessed the house.

Illustration for curé (parish priest)

More examples

Le curé du village connaît bien les habitants.

The parish priest of the village knows the residents well.

Core concept

A local Catholic priest who guides a parish's religious life and cares for its members.

Common phrases

  • le curé du village

    the parish priest of the village

  • un curé âgé

    an elderly parish priest

Similar words

prêtre: A general term for a male member of the Christian clergy.
pasteur: A Protestant church minister responsible for worship and pastoral care.
vicaire: A parish priest's assistant who helps conduct services and organize church events.
abbé: A respectful title for an abbot or another Catholic clergyman.

Definition in French

Prêtre catholique responsable d'une paroisse, chargé du soin des âmes et de la vie religieuse de la communauté.

Word origin

Curé derives from Latin curatus, 'cared for' or 'entrusted with care', and entered French through Old French as the title for a parish priest.

Usage tips

  • In modern French, curé remains a standard word for a Catholic parish priest, while prêtre is the broader term for a priest.

Other meanings

  • priestnoun

Opposites

  • laïclaypersonnoun

Word lists with this word