Christian

¹

[kris-chuhn]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings.

   a Christian faith.

2. of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

   Spain is a Christian country.

3. of or relating to Christians.

   many Christian deaths in the Crusades.

4. exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike.

   She displayed true Christian charity.

5. Sometimes Offensive.,  decent; respectable.

   They gave him a good Christian burial.

6. Sometimes Offensive.,  human; not brutal; humane.

   Such behavior isn't Christian.

noun

1. a person who believes in Jesus Christ; adherent of Christianity.

2. a person who exemplifies in their life the teachings of Christ.

   He died like a true Christian.

3. a member of any of certain Protestant churches, as the Disciples of Christ and the Plymouth Brethren.

4. the hero of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress.

5. a male given name.

Christian

²

[kris-chuhn]

noun

1. Charlie, 1916–42, U.S. jazz guitarist.

Christian

¹

/ ˈkrɪstʃən /

noun

1. 1. a person who believes in and follows Jesus Christ

   2. a member of a Christian Church or denomination

2. informal,  a person who possesses Christian virtues, esp practical ones

adjective

1. of, relating to, or derived from Jesus Christ, his teachings, example, or his followers

2. (sometimes not capital) exhibiting kindness or goodness

Christian

²

/ ˈkrɪstʃən /

noun

1. Charlie. 1919–42, US jazz guitarist

Christian

¹

1. A follower or disciple of Jesus; someone who believes Jesus is the Christ or Messiah. The New Testament mentions that the followers of Jesus were first called Christians within a few years after his death.

Christian

²

1. A follower of Jesus and his teachings. Christian is also a descriptive term for the institutions and practices of Christianity.

Other Word Forms

• Christianly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Christian¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin Chrīstiānus, from Greek Chrīstiānós, equivalent to Chrīst(ós) Christ + -iānos, from Latin -iānus -ian; replacing Middle English, Old English cristen from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

For months, campaigners and politicians in Washington have been alleging that Islamist militants are systematically targeting Christians.

Read more on BBC

Dickens knew all about that kind of Christian.

Read more on Salon

Many of the protesters, estimated to number between 110,000 and 150,000, who marched in central London that day carried Christian symbols such as wooden crosses, and placards featuring Bible verses.

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Nigeria is home to some 240 million people, about half Muslims, concentrated in the north, and half Christians, generally in the south.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Although we cannot comment on ongoing litigation, our commitment remains unchanged: We will continue to ensure that all students who qualify under state law have access to an affordable, high-quality education,” Christian said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times