Meaning & use
congregationalist
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A member of a church that governs itself independently, without control by bishops or a central authority.
Grammar: Countable; use a/an or the plural. Often capitalized in religious contexts.
Patterns
- a Congregationalist church
- Congregationalists believe ...
Her grandparents were devout Congregationalists who attended the village chapel every Sunday.
The town had both a Congregationalist and an Anglican congregation, each running its own affairs.
As a Congregationalist, he valued the independence of his local church.
adjectivebefore a noun
Relating to Congregationalism or its churches.
Grammar: Used before a noun, e.g. a Congregationalist church. Not usually after a verb.
Patterns
- a Congregationalist church
- Congregationalist beliefs
The Congregationalist chapel on the hill was built in 1842.
She grew up in a Congregationalist family in New England.
Word forms
| plural | Congregationalists |
|---|
Common combinations
- Congregationalist church
- The Congregationalist church in the center of town has a famous choir.
- Congregationalist minister
- A Congregationalist minister led the service.
- Congregationalist tradition
- The college was founded in the Congregationalist tradition.
- devout Congregationalist
- He was a devout Congregationalist all his life.
Synonyms and how they differ
- Independent
- In historical British use, 'Independent' was the older term for a Congregationalist; it is now less common.
- Congregational
- This adjective describes the church or system, while 'Congregationalist' usually refers to a person or a specific church.
Word family
- Congregationalism noun
- The system of church government in which each local church is independent.
- Congregational adjective
- Relating to Congregationalism or its churches.
Commonly confused: congregationalist or congregational?
congregationalist vs congregational
This adjective means 'relating to a congregation or Congregationalism'; 'Congregationalist' is usually a person or a specific church.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'Congregationalist' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Congregationalist churches are independent, so option 0 fits. Option 1 is wrong because the Church of England has bishops and central authority. Option 2 is wrong because Roman Catholics are not Congregationalists. Option 3 is wrong because Congregationalists have no pope.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “congregationalist”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.