Meaning & use
clergymen
Last updated
“clergymen” is a form of “clergyman”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounpluralold-fashioned
Men who are officially appointed as religious leaders, especially in the Christian church.
Grammar: This is the plural form; the singular is 'clergyman'. It takes a plural verb: 'The clergymen were seated.'
Patterns
- a group of clergymen
- the clergymen in the diocese
Several clergymen from nearby parishes attended the ceremony.
The clergymen took turns reading from the scripture.
Local clergymen organized a charity drive for the poor.
Word forms
| singular | clergyman |
|---|
Common combinations
- a group of clergymen
- A group of clergymen gathered for the annual synod.
- Protestant clergymen
- Protestant clergymen led the morning service.
- Catholic clergymen
- Catholic clergymen are trained in seminaries.
- clergymen and laypeople
- The meeting brought together clergymen and laypeople.
Synonyms and how they differ
- priests
- Usually refers specifically to ordained ministers in certain churches, while 'clergymen' is broader.
- ministers
- Often used for Protestant clergy; 'clergymen' can apply across denominations.
- clergy
- A collective noun for all ordained leaders; 'clergymen' is its plural for male members only.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: clergymen or clergyman?
clergymen vs clergyman
This is the singular; 'clergymen' is the plural. Use 'a clergyman' for one person.
Practice
The ____ from three local churches led the community prayer.
Choose one answer.
'Clergymen' is the plural form needed here because the verb 'led' follows a plural subject. 'Clergyman' is singular and would need 'led' to become 'led' but with a singular subject, which doesn't fit 'from three churches'. 'Clergies' is not a standard plural, and 'clergical' is not a noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “clergymen”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.