confessional

[kuhn-fesh-uh-nl]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or based on confession.

   confessional release.

noun

1. the place set apart for the hearing of confessions by a priest.

2. French Furniture.,  a high, upholstered wing chair of the 18th century.

confessional

/ kənˈfɛʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, like, or suited to a confession

noun

1. Christianity RC Church a small stall, usually enclosed and divided by a screen or curtain, where a priest hears confessions

2. a book of penitential prayers

Other Word Forms

• pseudoconfessional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of confessional¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Medieval Latin confessiōnāle, neuter of confessiōnālis (adjective); confession, -al ¹; confessional defs. 2, 3 from French, from Medieval Latin

Example Sentences

There was a confessional vibe at times to the conversation, borne of a fear the left can exude a piety and loftiness off-putting to many.

From BBC

A writer, Patricia published a confessional work about her family that she is adapting into a screenplay; as her extended illness kicks in, she finds it difficult to craft anything of merit.

From Los Angeles Times

In so doing, he provided a curious palette for John Lennon’s confessional tale about an extramarital affair.

From Salon

His new material was darker and more confessional.

From BBC

And celebrities could post their own “in real life” pictures, potentially thwarting the paparazzi, as well as stories, statements and confessionals, thereby avoiding the need for interviews over which they had far less control.

From Los Angeles Times