catholic

1 of 2

adjective

cath·​o·​lic ˈkath-lik How to pronounce catholic (audio)
ˈka-thə-
Synonyms of catholicnext
1
a
Catholic : roman catholic
Her son goes to a Catholic school.
b
often Catholic : of, relating to, or forming the church universal
c
often Catholic : of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from it
2
: comprehensive, universal
especially : broad in sympathies, tastes, or interests
a catholic taste in music
catholically
kə-ˈthä-li-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce catholic (audio)
adverb
catholicize
kə-ˈthä-lə-ˌsīz How to pronounce catholic (audio)
verb

Catholic

2 of 2

noun

Cath·​o·​lic ˈkath-lik How to pronounce Catholic (audio)
ˈka-thə-
1
: a member of a Catholic church
especially : roman catholic
2
: a person who belongs to the universal Christian church

Synonyms of catholic

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Adjective

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Examples of catholic in a Sentence

Adjective She is a novelist who is catholic in her interests. a museum director with catholic tastes in art
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The Catholic argument was Jesus said the church was a light on the hill. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 The Society framed its actions as a defense of Catholic tradition. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 July 2026
Noun
The second ceremony allowed the couple to reaffirm their commitment in the Catholic Church. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 McGinley grew up in a middle-class Irish Catholic family in northern New Jersey, as the youngest of eight children. — Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for catholic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English catholik, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French catholique, from Late Latin catholicus, from Greek katholikos universal, general, from katholou in general, from kata by + holos whole — more at cata-, safe

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of catholic was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing catholic

Browse Nearby Words

cathole
catholic
Catholic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catholic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catholic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

catholic

1 of 2 adjective
cath·​o·​lic ˈkath-(ə-)lik How to pronounce catholic (audio)
1
capitalized
a
: of or relating to the Christian church as a whole
b
: roman catholic
2
: broad in sympathies, tastes, or interests
a catholic taste in music
Catholicism
kə-ˈthäl-ə-ˌsiz-əm
noun

Catholic

2 of 2 noun
1
: christian entry 1 sense 2
2
: a member of the Roman Catholic church

More from Merriam-Webster on catholic

Nglish: Translation of catholic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catholic

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