Christian

1 of 2

noun

Chris·​tian ˈkris-chən 

ˈkrish-

1

a

: one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ

b(1)

: disciple sense 2

(2)

: a member of one of the Churches of Christ separating from the Disciples of Christ in 1906

(3)

: a member of the Christian denomination having part in the union of the United Church of Christ concluded in 1961

2

: the hero in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

Christian

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: of or relating to Christianity

Christian scriptures

b

: based on or conforming with Christianity

Christian ethics

2

a

: of, relating to, or being a Christian

Christian responsibilities

b

: professing Christianity

a Christian affirmation

a Christian country

3

: treating other people in a kind or generous way

has a very Christian concern for others

Christianly adjective or adverb

Examples of Christian in a Sentence

Adjective

Many of my friends are Christian.

He showed a very Christian concern for others.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Plenty of bro love fills that gap in the serviceable sequel, which teams action-hero CPA Christian (Ben Affleck) with his hit-man sibling Braxton (Jon Bernthal) to solve a mystery involving a broken family and human trafficking. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 June 2025

Angels rookie Christian Moore, a first-round pick out of Tennessee in 2024, tied it 2-2 with his first major league homer to open the seventh. —Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025

Adjective

After buying airtime for decades, Swaggart’s ministry increasingly opted to buy its own radio stations and provide round-the-clock Christian programming. —Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 1 July 2025

Although the program itself is considered to be high quality and secular, its connection to a larger, controversial state curriculum with religious references — predominantly Christian — prompted concerns from a couple of school board members. —Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Latin christianus, adjective & noun, from Greek christianos, from Christos — see Christ

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing Christian

• anti-Christian
• Christian Brother
• Christian era
• Christian name
• Christian nationalism
• Christian nationalist
• Christian Science
• Judeo-Christian
• non-Christian
• post-Christian
• pre-Christian
• un-Christian

Rhymes for Christian

• unchristian

Kids Definition

Christian

1 of 2 noun

Chris·​tian ˈkris-chən 

ˈkrish-

1

: a person who believes in Jesus Christ and follows his teachings

2

: a member of a Christian church

Christian

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to Jesus Christ or the religion based on his teachings

2

: of or relating to Christians

a Christian nation

3

: being what a Christian should be or do

Christian behavior