confessional

1 of 2

noun

con·​fes·​sion·​al kən-ˈfe-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: a place where a priest hears confessions

2

: the practice of confessing to a priest

confessional

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or being a confession especially of faith

2

a

: intimately autobiographical

confessional fiction

b

: characterized by unguarded openness or self-revelation

We live in a confessional culture, provoked by social media and the internet and the warmth of the human impulse to share and … commiserate.

—Megan Garber

confessionalism

kən-ˈfe-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm 

noun

confessionalist

kən-ˈfe-sh(ə-)nə-list 

noun

confessionally

kən-ˈfe-sh(ə-)nə-lē 

adverb

Examples of confessional in a Sentence

Adjective

confessional interviews of famous actors

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The invisibility offered a protective cloak, allowing his existential confessionals to develop free of the expectations placed upon Sage Elsesser, pro skateboarder. — Jeff Weiss, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

In May, a source said only new confessionals were being filmed for season 5. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Adjective

An outstretched hand After reciting the confessional, the Ne’ilah service adds one more prayer, not used in other services. — Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

That confessional style of songwriting has become an early staple of Grace’s growing discography. — Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably borrowed from French confessional (short for chaire confessionale, siège confessional, literally, "confessional seat"), noun derivative of confessional, adjective, "constituting or used for a confession," borrowed from Medieval Latin confessiōnālis, from Latin confessiōn-, confessiō confession + -ālis -al entry 1

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin confessiōnālis "constituting or used for a confession" — more at confessional entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1684, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for confessional

• compressional
• concessional
• congressional
• obsessional
• processional
• professional
• recessional
• successional
• interprofessional
• paraprofessional
• semiprofessional
• nonprofessional

Kids Definition

confessional

noun

con·​fes·​sion·​al

kən-ˈfesh-(ə-)nəl

1

: the enclosed place in which a priest sits and hears confessions

2

: the practice of confessing to a priest