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parson

parson

13 8.2
A Christian minister in charge of a local church
  • noun
  • /ˈpɑr.sən/
translation icon : pastor
  • After the meeting, the parson visited the homes of parishioners to offer support.
  • country parson

My father's a Parson in Norfolk, Elizabeth observed serious vertical rain.

Examples

  • "How are you holding up being married to a parson?" "I love being married to my parson."

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Good master parson, be so good as to read me this letter.

  • Once in a while, a poor parson could make it, but not all the time.

    Academic text (1993)
  • I am the Barrow family parson.

  • Take heed of the parson, Miss Bennet.

  • It was the parson who baptized the newborn baby.

  • The parson held a service every Sunday to guide his congregation in faith.

  • The villagers gathered to hear the parson deliver a sermon about kindness.

Synonyms

pastor
vsparson
329 3.0

A religious leader who cares for and leads a Christian church, usually in Protestant churches

is the parish-focused role within Protestant church organization rather than general leadership
preacher
vsparson
291 3.2

A person who gives sermons in a church

combines preaching with formal parish leadership and pastoral care
minister
vsparson
279 2.6

A religious leader who leads worship and helps people

is more specifically the parish-based clergy position with local responsibility
reverend
vsparson
101 5.2

A Christian church leader often given a formal title before their name

names the actual parish-serving role rather than a form of address
cleric
vsparson
53 6.4

A religious leader who leads services and prayers in a church

is the specific parish-responsible clergy role within Protestant practice
vicar
vsparson
18 5.4

A Christian priest in charge of a local church

is used for a parish leader especially in Protestant parish settings
clergyman
vsparson
15 4.7

A man who leads services and gives spiritual help in a church

is the parish-serving clergy role rather than just any male religious officer
man of the cloth
vsparson
11 6.7

A man who works as a religious leader, like a priest

is the formal parish responsibility role rather than a casual label
rector
vsparson
5 7.8

A church leader who leads services and cares for a local church

is the common parish clergy role rather than a formally titled office
churchman
vsparson
1 6.0

A man who leads or works in a Christian church

focuses specifically on leading and caring for a parish community
dominus
vsparson
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A clergyman in charge of a parish

is the modern parish clergy role rather than a historical title
3.8

A person who leads religious services and performs ceremonies

is narrower, focusing on parish responsibility within Protestant settings
rect
vsparson
  • UK
9.9

A church leader in charge of a local church or the head of a college

is the defined parish clergy role rather than an informal form of address
ministrant
vsparson
9.9

A person who helps during a religious service, for example by giving communion

holds broader parish responsibility beyond serving in services

Surface Forms

parson singular
parsons plural

Etymology

Parson comes from the Latin word persona, meaning 'person', and it shares the same root as the English word person. A parson was originally the 'person' who stood for the church in a parish, so today a parson means a parish priest.