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

The late Pope Francis famously stayed away from the big European centers of Christianity during his 12-year pontificate, preferring instead to visit small Catholic communities far from Rome. —ABC News, 16 May 2026

The Italian government, working with Catholic organizations, has brought hundreds of Palestinians to study and receive medical care in Italy since the Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza began in 2023. —Nicole Winfield, Fortune, 15 May 2026

Noun

After three games this spring, junior shortstop Nick Czerak was installed as Aurora Central Catholic’s new leadoff hitter. —Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026

Rubio is a staunch Catholic, while Hegseth, Johnson, Carson, and Scott identify as evangelical Christians. —Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 15 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