evangelize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to preach the gospel to.
-
to convert to Christianity.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to preach the Christian gospel or a particular interpretation of it (to)
-
(intr) to advocate a cause with the object of making converts
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has evangelizedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have evangelizedperfect
-
has been evangelizingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are evangelizingprogressive
-
is evangelizingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been evangelizingperfect progressive
-
evangelizessingular 3rd person
-
am evangelizingprogressive 1st person singular
-
evangelizingparticiple
Past
-
had evangelizedperfect
-
were evangelizingprogressive plural
-
was evangelizingprogressive singular
-
had been evangelizingperfect progressive
-
evangelizedparticiple
-
evangelizedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of evangelize
1350–1400; Middle English evangelisen < Late Latin evangelizāre < Late Greek euangelízein. See evangel 1, -ize
Compare meaning
How does evangelize compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
To evangelize is to share religious beliefs, especially Christian ones, with other people. Preachers and ministers evangelize from the pulpit in their churches every Sunday. Certain Christians believe that it's important to evangelize to others — to preach the gospel and convey what they believe. In some cases, Christian missionaries travel to foreign countries to evangelize. The ultimate goal for those who evangelize tends to be converting non-Christians to Christianity. The word evangelize comes from the Church Latin evangelizare, "to spread or preach the Gospel," with the Greek root euangelizesthai, or "bring good news."
Vocabulary lists containing evangelize
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Paradise Lost
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The founding members, David Rubin, Telsey and Lora Kennedy, spent years trying to evangelize their work to other branches of the Academy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
Maybe I wouldn’t be so tempted to evangelize if it weren’t for Cruise and director Chris McQuarrie’s ability to so presciently understand what the “Mission: Impossible” franchise can be.
From Salon • May 24, 2025
The two traveled to China to evangelize, but became severely ill.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2025
They evangelize about important deadlines for financial aid and guide students through their college decisions.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 22, 2024
Yet to any other man the vocation to evangelize it all must have been bewildering and even paralyzing.
From The Preacher and His Models The Yale Lectures on Preaching 1891 by Stalker, James
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
