French word

prêtre

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁɛtʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpriest

Example

Nous avons rencontré le prêtre après la messe.

We met the priest after Mass.

Illustration for prêtre (priest)

More examples

Elle a demandé une bénédiction au prêtre.

She asked the priest for a blessing.

Core concept

A church minister whose work combines communal worship, pastoral care, and sacramental duties.

Common phrases

  • parler au prêtre

    speak to the priest

  • aller voir un prêtre

    go see a priest

  • un prêtre catholique

    a Catholic priest

Similar words

curé: A Catholic priest responsible for a parish and its regular services and weddings.
pasteur: A Protestant religious leader who guides believers through pastoral care and preaching.

Definition in French

Personne ordonnée qui remplit des fonctions pastorales et sacramentelles au sein d'une communauté religieuse, le plus souvent dans l'Église catholique.

Word origin

Prêtre develops from Old French prestre, which comes from Latin presbyter and ultimately Greek presbyteros, meaning elder.

Usage tips

  • Prêtre is a broad term, while curé specifically refers to a parish priest responsible for a parish.

Other meanings

  • clergymannoun

Opposites

  • laïclaypersonnoun

Word lists with this word