friar

noun

fri·​ar ˈfrī(-ə)r 

: a member of a mendicant order

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Ferrara’s latest feature has LeBoeuf playing an Italian friar who rose to prominence at a time when fascist powers began to take over Italy. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2023

Yes, a priest or friar will come by each car or bike and bless the deceased’s picture with holy water. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2022

To avoid the wedding, Juliet feigns death by drinking a potion supplied by the local friar that puts her into a deep sleep. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2023

Much of the material in the Black Legend derives from the polemics of the Dominican friar Bartolomé de las Casas. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2011

The skeletal remains of a Capuchin friar, holding a wooden cross, are reminiscent of the popular image of the Grim Reaper. —Theo Zenou, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Feb. 2023

On February 17, 1600, Giordano Bruno, a mathematician and Dominican friar, was stripped naked and driven through the streets of Rome. —Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2011

Geronimo de Aguilar, a Franciscan friar that got shipwrecked and captured by Maya years before, had also joined Cortés. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 13 Aug. 2021

Pope Nicholas IV, a Franciscan friar, commissioned the Nativity scene in 1292. —Kathleen Brady, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2022

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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

Phrases Containing friar

• friar's lantern
• white friar
• grey friar

• friar's lantern
• white friar
• grey friar

Kids Definition

friar

noun

fri·​ar ˈfrī(-ə)r 

: a member of a Roman Catholic religious order for men