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officiant

officiant

3 7.9
A person who leads a religious ceremony like a wedding
  • noun
  • /əˈfɪʃənt/
translation icon : oficiante
  • Check her out if you need an amazing and authentic officiant!
  • officiant of rituals

No, it depends on the virtue of the officiant.

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Examples

  • The officiant led the couple through their vows in front of family and friends.

  • We were in a crazy rush to find an available officiant for a summer wedding!

    Blog text (15)
  • My little brother is getting married in two weeks, and he asked me to be the officiant.

    Blog text (15)
  • A minimum of five persons must be present at the wedding ceremony: the officiant, the couple, and two witnesses.

    Blog text (10)
  • We actually had our wedding ceremony right here and Seth was our spiritual officiant.

  • Zella is our registered civil officiant.

  • We've asked my uncle to be the officiant, which will be interesting since he's never officiated a ceremony before.

    Blog text (15)
  • Zella is an officiant who has performed many weddings in the community.

  • Before the ceremony began, the officiant explained the significance of each ritual.

Synonyms

priest
vsofficiant
1.0

A person who leads religious ceremonies and worship in a church or temple

may be any person leading a service, not necessarily ordained
preacher
vsofficiant
291 3.2

A person who gives sermons in a church

centres on conducting the whole service rather than mainly preaching
cleric
vsofficiant
53 6.4

A religious leader who leads services and prayers in a church

focuses on the act of leading a service rather than ordination
religious leader
vsofficiant
43 3.4

A person who guides a group's religious beliefs and practices

is more narrowly about leading a particular ceremonial service
spiritual leader
vsofficiant
23 3.9

A person who guides others in religious beliefs and inner life

is about running a formal service rather than ongoing spiritual guidance
clergyman
vsofficiant
15 4.7

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

is gender neutral and centres on leading services, not gender
presiding officer
vsofficiant
  • Formal
3 6.1

A person who leads a meeting and makes sure it runs correctly

focuses on guiding religious worship rather than general meeting control
celebrant
vsofficiant
1 7.2

A priest or minister who leads a religious service and gives blessings

covers leading any religious service rather than only that celebration
liturgist
vsofficiant
  • Specialized
1 9.6

A person who plans and leads religious services and rituals

is about leading a service generally, not only ritual expertise
hazan
vsofficiant
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A person who leads songs and prayers in a synagogue, often singing alone

is used across religions and not limited to synagogue practice
presider
vsofficiant
1 7.3

A person who leads a meeting, ceremony, or event

is specific to religious services rather than any meeting or event
officiator
vsofficiant
  • Formal
7.7

A person who leads a ceremony or acts as an official at an event

is specific to leading religious services and is often clergy
minister of religion
vsofficiant
3.8

A person who leads religious services and performs ceremonies

is often authorized too but can be a nonofficial leader in practice
pontificator
vsofficiant
  • Specialized
9.9

A bishop who leads a serious church ceremony

is broader, applying to leaders of regular religious services as well
sacramentary
vsofficiant
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who helps with church sacraments such as baptism or communion

is the modern general term for those who lead religious services
marrier
vsofficiant
  • Formal
7.9

A person who leads a wedding and officially joins two people

covers leading any religious ceremony, not only weddings

How Central

officiant
3 7.9
assistant
833 1.0
reader
  • UK
9 7.4
participant
295 2.4

Surface Forms

officiant singular
officiants plural

Morphology

officiant = officiate (transparent) = officiate + ant

Standard agent-noun formation by adding the productive suffix '-ant' to the verb 'officiate', yielding 'one who officiates'.

Etymology

Officiant comes from the Latin word officium, which means 'duty' or 'service' and is the same root as official. So an officiant is the person who performs the important duty or service at a ceremony, like leading a wedding or religious service.