gospel

noun

gos·​pel ˈgä-spəl 

1

a

often Gospel : the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation

b

Gospel : one of the first four New Testament books telling of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

also : a similar apocryphal (see apocrypha sense 2) book

c

: an interpretation of the Christian message

the social gospel

2

Gospel : a lection (see lection sense 1) from one of the New Testament Gospels

3

: the message or teachings of a religious teacher

4

: something accepted or promoted as infallible (see infallible sense 1) truth or as a guiding principle or doctrine

took her words as gospel

spreading the gospel of conservation

—R. M. Hodesh

5

: gospel music

gospelly

ˈgä-spə-lē 

adjective

Synonyms of gospel

• ideology
• philosophy
• doctrine

Examples of gospel in a Sentence

a reading from the Gospel of St. John

her private gospel is to do good cheerfully and without any expectation of reward

Recent Examples on the Web

In this early 19th-century rebirth of backcountry religion, traveling ministers preached a fiery gospel of grace, stirring large crowds with their open-air sermons. —Matthew Smith, The Conversation, 8 June 2026

Before the competition, the tribute artists toured the Elvis Presley Birthplace, a sprawling complex that includes the home where Elvis was born and the church where he was first exposed to Southern gospel music. —ABC News, 8 June 2026

Kirk Franklin, Stellar Upfront Awards host and gospel artist, also welcomed the move to Charlotte. —Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026

The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol will perform music in the traditions of jazz, blues, gospel, R&B and beyond. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English gōdspel (translation of Late Latin evangelium), from gōd good + spell tale — more at spell entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gospel

• accept/take as gospel
• gospel side
• social gospel
• the gospel truth

Kids Definition

gospel

1 of 2 noun

gos·​pel ˈgäs-pəl 

1

a

often capitalized : the Christian message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation

b

capitalized : one of the first four New Testament books telling of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

2

: something accepted as the truth or as a guiding principle

3

: gospel music

gospel

2 of 2 adjective

1

: relating to or in accordance with the gospel : evangelical

2

: of or relating to religious songs associated with evangelism

a gospel singer

Etymology

Old English gōdspel, a translation of Greek euangelion "gospel," literally, "good tidings, good news"; gōdspel from gōd "good" and spell "talk, tale"