priestly

adjective

priest·​ly ˈprēst-lē 

1

: of or relating to a priest or the priesthood : sacerdotal

2

: characteristic of or befitting a priest

priestliness noun

Synonyms

• clerical
• clerkly
• ministerial
• pastoral
• sacerdotal

Example Sentences

He is a kind, priestly man.

majestically robed in priestly garments

Recent Examples on the Web

On this day the priestly promises of chastity, obedience and poverty are renewed before a Bishop. —Nadia Cantú, The Arizona Republic, 31 Mar. 2023

Tens of thousands of Jews gathered at the Western Wall for priestly blessings; at al-Aqsa’s gray-domed mosque, Muslim worshipers knelt in solemn prayer. —Leo Sands, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2023

April 6, Holy Thursday On Holy Thursday, the Catholic Church celebrates charity, love, the institution of the Eucharist and the priestly order. —Nadia Cantú, The Arizona Republic, 31 Mar. 2023

Over time, Philippe resumed his priestly ministry as his Dominican superiors ignored the Vatican sanctions, at which point Vanier, a layman, founded L’Arche. —Nicole Winfield, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Mar. 2023

The priestly class in particular interested me. —Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2022

The goal of the priestly garments is not honor but rather to serve as a reminder that the priest has a greater responsibility to soulfully impact the community. —Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2023

Tetzaveh follows with the command of the priestly garments. —Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 22 Feb. 2022

Some segments of the priestly class will always find institutional politics exhausting, mystical experience out of their character, and legal commentaries excessively mundane. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2013

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Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

priestly

adjective

priest·​ly ˈprēst-lē 

priestlier; priestliest

1

: of or relating to a priest or the priesthood

2

: characteristic of or suitable for a priest

priestliness noun