catholic

1 of 2

adjective

cath·​o·​lic ˈkath-lik 

ˈka-thə-

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 

adverb

catholicize

kə-ˈthä-lə-ˌsīz 

verb

Catholic

2 of 2

noun

Cath·​o·​lic ˈkath-lik 

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

Adjective

• unlimited
• general
• unrestricted

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

Adjective

Their big families, Catholic education, and backgrounds that were far from flush helped build the kinship. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 9 May 2026

Hyattsville, Maryland — In the heart of deep-red Appalachia, a top Catholic official will soon be delivering services with a heavy Spanish accent. —Max Saltman, CNN Money, 8 May 2026

Noun

Malden Catholic has hired Arthur Staffiere as its next coach. —Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026

But sources inside the island involved in delivering the aid, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation, said the Catholic Church’s infrastructure would not be able to handle a massive influx of humanitarian aid. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing catholic

• Anglo-Catholic
• anti-Catholic
• Catholic Apostolic
• Catholic Epistles
• Greek Catholic
• non-Catholic
• Old Catholic
• Roman Catholic

Kids Definition

catholic

1 of 2 adjective

cath·​o·​lic ˈkath-(ə-)lik 

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