evangelical

1 of 2

adjective

evan·​gel·​i·​cal ˌē-ˌvan-ˈje-li-kəl 

ˌe-vən-

variants or less commonly evangelic

ˌē-ˌvan-ˈje-lik 

ˌe-vən-

1

: of, relating to, or being in agreement with the Christian gospel especially as it is presented in the four Gospels

2

: protestant

3

: emphasizing salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ through personal conversion, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of preaching as contrasted with ritual

4

a

Evangelical : of or relating to the Evangelical Church in Germany

b

often Evangelical : of, adhering to, or marked by fundamentalism : fundamentalist

c

often Evangelical : low church

5

: marked by militant or crusading zeal : evangelistic

… the evangelical ardor of the movement's leaders …

—Amos Vogel

Evangelicalism

ˌē-ˌvan-ˈje-li-kə-ˌli-zəm 

ˌe-vən-

noun

evangelically

ˌē-ˌvan-ˈje-li-k(ə-)lē 

ˌe-vən-

adverb

evangelical

2 of 2

noun

variants often Evangelical

: one holding evangelical principles or belonging to an evangelical party or church

Examples of evangelical in a Sentence

Adjective

She is an evangelical Christian.

He spoke about the project with evangelical zeal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Hers is a disquieting book, awash in Jenny Holzer-like slogans, memories of a strict evangelical childhood, stories jigsawed together and sudden, breathtaking insights, all framed by the myth of Shahrazad (known in the West as Scheherazade). —Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

Watch Dynasty on Netflix The Righteous Gemstones Just as Landman pulls back the curtain and shows the ruthless wheelings and dealings of the oil industry, The Righteous Gemstones does the same for evangelical megachurches. —Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026

Noun

White evangelicals tend to support strong enforcement, while Catholic leaders have spoken in favor of migrant rights. —CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

Huge numbers of American fundamentalists and evangelicals—not just cultural Christians, but also those who faithfully attend church and Bible-study sessions and prayer gatherings—prefer the MAGA Jesus to the real Jesus. —Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1527, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1532, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for evangelical

• helical
• pellicle

Kids Definition

evangelical

adjective

evan·​gel·​i·​cal

ˌē-ˌvan-ˈjel-i-kəl, 

ˌev-ən-

1

: of, relating to, or being in agreement with the Christian gospel especially as given in the four Gospels

2

: stressing salvation by faith in Jesus, the authority of the Bible, and the importance of preaching