Christ

American  

[krahyst] / kraɪst /

noun

1. Jesus of Nazareth, held by Christians to be the fulfillment of prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the eventual coming of a Messiah.

2. the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament (used chiefly in versions of the New Testament).

3. someone regarded as similar to Jesus of Nazareth.

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interjection

1. Sometimes Offensive. (used as an oath or strong expression of disbelief, dismay, awe, disappointment, pain, etc.)

Christ British  

/ kraɪst /

noun

1. Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), regarded by Christians as fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah

2. the Messiah or anointed one of God as the subject of Old Testament prophecies

3. an image or picture of Christ

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interjection

1. taboo an oath expressing annoyance, surprise, etc

Christ ¹ Cultural  

1. A title for Jesus meaning “Messiah” or “anointed one.”

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Christ ² Cultural  

1. A title by which Christians (see also Christian) refer to Jesus. The word is a Greek translation of the Hebrew messiah, meaning “the anointed one.”

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Other Word Forms

• Christly adjective

Etymology

Origin of Christ

Learned respelling of Middle English, Old English Crīst < Latin Chrīstus < Greek chrīstos anointed, translation of Hebrew māshīaḥ anointed, Messiah

Example Sentences

In Jerusalem, services in the Holy Sepulchre, the site where Christians believe Christ was resurrected, are being held behind closed doors.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

Based on a novel by Shusaku Endo, a Jesuit named Rodrigues steps on the image of Christ to save the lives of Christian villagers in 17th-century Japan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

“All I’m preaching is about Jesus Christ and they waived me, right? They say I’m crazy, right? I’m psycho,” Ivey said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Sale's recruitment has been steady rather than spectacular for next season, with Nicky Smith, Alex Lozowski, Christ Tshiunza and Tomas Francis among those to arrive in the summer.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

I looked at the wall and saw that today he had picked to sit by the third fall of Christ.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya