friar

noun

fri·​ar ˈfrī(-ə)r 

: a member of a mendicant order

Examples of friar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But its origins date back even further to the early 15th century, when it was built as a monastery for an order of Franciscan friars. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026

Having spent much of his adult life in the Order of St Augustine, whose friars and sisters take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience with a focus on unity and community, his priorities are unity and building bridges. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026

As the first year of Leo’s historic pontificate comes to a close, the longtime missionary and Augustinian friar remains a stalwart champion of migrants, the poor and care for the environment, a trinity of issues at the core of his ministry. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

Paolo Benanti, a Franciscan friar and one of the pope’s key AI advisers, argued in December that human intelligence and dignity are unlike any sort of intelligence that could arise from digital minds. — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 24 May 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