confessional

American  

[kuhn-fesh-uh-nl] / kənˈfɛʃ ə nl /

adjective

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

   confessional release.

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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 British  

/ kənˈfɛʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, like, or suited to a confession

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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

Etymology

Origin of confessional

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

More than five million words survive from his pen, including the “Confessions,” a slippery and carefully constructed autobiography covering his life into his mid-30s; numerous letters; and chatty, confessional sermons.

From The Wall Street Journal

Alex’s confessional comedy bits loosen up something in him that had been locked down, leading to some refreshingly frank exchanges between him and Tess.

From The Wall Street Journal

He became a life-long friend of the future Carry On star, though Williams's published diaries reveal their relationship constantly veered between the confessional, supportive and rivalrous.

From BBC

Even listening to him explain the pressures and expectations that society places on strangers and their marriages — which should fully be serious — feels more like a comedy confessional rather than a set.

From Los Angeles Times

Initially writing for herself, it became clear her confessional lyrics couldn’t be confined to her bedroom walls.

From Los Angeles Times