confessor

American  

[kuhn-fes-er] / kənˈfɛs ər /

Or confesser

noun

1. a person who confesses.

2. a priest authorized to hear confessions.

3. a person who confesses faith in and adheres to the Christian religion, especially in spite of persecution and torture but without suffering martyrdom.

4. the Confessor. Edward the Confessor.

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confessor British  

/ kənˈfɛsə /

noun

1. Christianity RC Church a priest who hears confessions and sometimes acts as a spiritual counsellor

2. history a person who bears witness to his Christian religious faith by the holiness of his life, esp in resisting threats or danger, but does not suffer martyrdom

3. a person who makes a confession

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Etymology

Origin of confessor

before 1000; Middle English, Old English (in pl: confessores ) < Late Latin; see confess, -tor

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

confessor

The success of “Father Brown” rests in the way Williams plays with the notion of the priest as a quiet, trustworthy confessor.

From Salon ● Jun. 16, 2026

Times television critic Mary McNamara said Walters was part confessor, part therapist and succeeded brilliantly at making “emotion newsworthy.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2022

When the Father arose his confessor grasped him by the hand, and after a few words had been exchanged, Father Dupiéreux advanced alone in the direction of the wood.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022

D’Astolfo turns the audience into Derek’s confessor and personal cheering squad, as the other beauty queen hopefuls in this solo play, produced by All For One Theater, are talked about but not seen.

From New York Times ● Jul. 12, 2022

“It’s a private story. Almost like a secret, between myself, my confessor Prior Michelangelo, and God. I can tell you, can’t I? You won’t tell anyone?”

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

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