friar

noun

fri·​ar ˈfrī(-ə)r How to pronounce friar (audio)
Synonyms of friarnext
: a member of a mendicant order

Examples of friar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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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 The schools said Pope Leo XIV, an Augustinian friar and Villanova alumnus, was the inspiration for scheduling the game. ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026 Pope Leo recently wrote the introduction to a new edition of The Practice of the Presence of God, written by 17th century French Carmelite friar Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. Martin Scorsese, Time, 15 Apr. 2026 Another curveball came from an order of friars. Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for friar

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of friar was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Friar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/friar. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

friar

noun
fri·​ar ˈfrī(-ə)r How to pronounce friar (audio)
: a member of a Roman Catholic religious order for men

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