confessional
Americanadjective
noun
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the place set apart for the hearing of confessions by a priest.
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French Furniture. a high, upholstered wing chair of the 18th century.
adjective
noun
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Christianity RC Church a small stall, usually enclosed and divided by a screen or curtain, where a priest hears confessions
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a book of penitential prayers
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of confessional
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Medieval Latin confessiōnāle, neuter of confessiōnālis (adjective); see confession, -al 1; confessional defs. 2, 3 from French, from Medieval Latin
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.
But McElwee’s nonlinear construction and brusque, confessional narration slowly transform the film into something much deeper, a poignant work of art that instantly yet subtly aligns itself with the great stories of our time.
From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026
Regardless, her first two full-length releases squarely fit within contemporary trends in confessional pop.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
Through the process of writing the script, Madonna was bitten by the memoir bug, but she channeled that confessional energy into her forthcoming album, “Confessions on a Dance Floor: Part II,” which drops July 3.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
But there's clearly a demand for the confessional style.
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026
The New York World scooped other papers clamoring to run Maggie’s confessional interview.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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.
