Meaning & use
rabbi
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A Jewish religious leader and teacher, often the person in charge of a synagogue.
Grammar: Countable: a rabbi, two rabbis. Use Rabbi before a name as a title: Rabbi Cohen.
Patterns
- a rabbi
- Rabbi + name
- the rabbi of a synagogue
The rabbi led the service on Friday evening.
She asked her rabbi for advice about the holiday.
Rabbi Levy has taught at the school for twenty years.
nounproper
A title used before the name of a Jewish religious leader.
Grammar: Capitalize and use before a surname: Rabbi Goldstein. Do not say 'Rabbi David Goldstein' unless David is part of the name.
Patterns
- Rabbi + surname
Rabbi Stein will give the sermon this week.
I spoke with Rabbi Haddad after the ceremony.
Word forms
| plural | rabbis |
|---|
Common combinations
- chief rabbi
- The chief rabbi spoke on behalf of the community.
- ordained rabbi
- She became an ordained rabbi after years of study.
- ask a rabbi
- When in doubt, ask a rabbi about the law.
- rabbi and congregation
- The rabbi and congregation gathered for the festival.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- rabbinical adjective
- Relating to rabbis or their teachings.
- rabbinate noun
- The office or body of rabbis.
Commonly confused: rabbi or imam? rabbi or priest?
rabbi vs imam
An imam is a Muslim religious leader; a rabbi is Jewish.
rabbi vs priest
A priest is usually Christian (or in some other religions); a rabbi is Jewish.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'rabbi' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A rabbi is a Jewish religious leader, so leading a Passover meal fits. A Catholic Mass (B) is led by a priest. A mosque (C) is Muslim, led by an imam. Mayors (D) are political, not religious.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rabbi”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.