friar

noun

fri·​ar ˈfrī(-ə)r 

: a member of a mendicant order

Examples of friar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The mission museum and gift shop are housed in the original Convent Wing, once the residential quarters of Franciscan priests and friars. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

With a history that stretches back to 1221, this is considered the world’s oldest pharmacy, where Dominican friars produced medicinal tinctures and perfumes. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026

Fra Giovanni da Pian del Carpine, who was a medieval Italian Franciscan friar and explorer in 1244 went to Mongolia [as a papal ambassador]. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 June 2026

The storied residence was first commissioned in 1712 by Anna Gravina, Princess of Gravina and Valguarnera, and it's also attributed to Dominican friar and architect Tommaso Maria Napoli. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English frere, fryer, from Anglo-French frere, friere, fraire literally, brother, from Latin fratr-, frater — more at brother

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing friar

• friar's lantern
• grey friar
• white friar

Rhymes for friar

• acquire
• attire
• bonfire
• campfire
• ceasefire
• conspire
• desire
• enquire
• entire
• greenbrier
• gunfire
• homebuyer

Kids Definition

friar

noun

fri·​ar ˈfrī(-ə)r 

: a member of a Roman Catholic religious order for men