gentiles

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralreligion

   People who are not Jewish, seen from a Jewish point of view or in religious texts.

   Grammar: Plural form of gentile; usually the Gentiles or Gentiles in general.

   Patterns

   • Jews and Gentiles
   • the Gentiles

   The letter was addressed to both Jews and Gentiles in the early church.

   Many historians study how Jews and Gentiles lived side by side in the old city.

   The rabbi explained how the law applied to Gentiles who visited the town.

2. 2nounpluralreligionspecialist

   In some communities, people who do not belong to a particular religious group, especially Mormons.

   Grammar: Used by members of a group about outsiders: the Gentiles in town.

   Patterns

   • Mormons and Gentiles

   Early settlers in Utah sometimes spoke of the Gentiles who passed through.

   The diary mentions trade between the community and local Gentiles.

   Historians note tensions between Mormons and Gentiles in the nineteenth century.

Word forms

Common combinations

Jews and Gentiles

The sermon was for Jews and Gentiles alike.

mission to the Gentiles

Paul's mission to the Gentiles is well documented.

Gentile converts

Gentile converts joined the early community.

Gentile neighbors

They shared the holiday with their Gentile neighbors.

Synonyms and how they differ

non-Jews

Non-Jews is a plain modern phrase, while Gentiles has a historical or religious flavor.

outsiders

Outsiders is much broader and does not refer to religion.

pagans

Pagans refers to people with polytheistic beliefs and is not simply the opposite of Jewish.

Opposites

Word family

gentile noun

one person who is not Jewish

gentile adjective

relating to non-Jewish people

gentilic adjective

rare word for something denoting a nationality or tribe

Commonly confused: gentiles or genteel? gentiles or gentle?

Practice

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