disciple

[ dih-sahy-puhl ]

/ dɪˈsaɪ pəl /

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See synonyms for: disciple / disciples on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower: a disciple of Freud.

Religion.

one of the 12 personal followers of Christ.
one of the 70 followers sent forth by Christ. Luke 10:1.
any other professed follower of Christ in His lifetime.

any follower of Christ.

Disciple, a member of the Disciples of Christ.

verb (used with object), dis·ci·pled, dis·ci·pling.

Archaic. to convert into a disciple.

Obsolete. to teach; train.

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Origin of disciple

First recorded before 900; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin discipulus, equivalent to dis- dis-¹ + -cip(ere), combining form of capere “to take” + -ulus -ule; replacing Middle English deciple, from Anglo-French de(s)ciple; replacing Old English discipul, from Latin, as above

synonym study for disciple

1. See pupil¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM disciple

dis·ci·ple·like, adjectivedis·ci·ple·ship, noun

Words nearby disciple

discharge tube, discharging arch, disc harrow, disci-, discifloral, disciple, disciples, discipleship, Disciples of Christ, disciplinable, disciplinant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use disciple in a sentence

Traditionally the successor to the Dalai Lama has been determined by a group of disciples close to the previous holder of the title, who seek the reborn person of the Dalai Lamai after his death.
How the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation ended up in Congress’s $900 billion relief bill|Paul O'Donnell|January 1, 2021|Washington Post
Bolling jokingly described some classical music disciples as “more royalist than the king when it comes to claiming a superiority over jazz.”
Claude Bolling, French pianist who melded jazz and classical music, dies at 90|Emily Langer|January 1, 2021|Washington Post
It’s yet another lesson that Marshall Allen continues to impart to his many disciples.
Marshall Allen is 96 years old and still leading one of the most visionary jazz groups of all time|Shannon Effinger|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
Members of the Azuza Street congregation believed that they had been given the same blessings as those received by the disciples of Jesus.
What Is Charismatic Catholicism?|LGBTQ-Editor|September 29, 2020|No Straight News

Perry ultimately went straight to the top in Ukraine with his energy evangelism — and his favored disciples.
Rick Perry’s Ukrainian Dream|by Simon Shuster, TIME, and Ilya Marritz, WNYC|September 10, 2020|ProPublica
Having a guru in a body does not necessarily help a disciple advance spiritually.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More|Gary Wright|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Self-realized masters can get stern and even appear angry if a disciple openly manifests some undesirable character trait.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More|Gary Wright|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The McConnell campaign has already launched attacks against the actress as too liberal, an Obama disciple, and anti-coal.
Ashley Judd Really Can Win a Senate Run Against Mitch McConnell|Jonathan Miller|February 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“These n---as claim 300, but we BDK,” they chant, using gang shorthand for Black Disciple killers.
Chicago Rapper Lil JoJo Went to His Grave for Taunting a Rival Gang Member|Michael Daly|October 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The letters in the chorus “BDK” stand for Black Disciple Killer.
Rapper Lil JoJo Was Slain After an Internet Feud With Rival Chief Keef (VIDEOS)|Michael Daly|October 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
So the other disciple, who was known unto the high priest, went out and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
His Last Week|William E. Barton
These words of our dying Lord were addressed to the beloved disciple St. John, but were intended for all mankind.
Mary, Help of Christians|Various
A disciple asked him what qualities a man must possess to entitle him to be called a scholar.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
Anaximenes, the disciple of Thales, pursued his master's inquiries and adopted his method.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
Here I met again constantly the great sportsman who had noticed me so kindly, and I became his follower, his disciple.
You Never Know Your Luck, Complete|Gilbert Parker

British Dictionary definitions for disciple

disciple

/ (dɪˈsaɪpəl) /

noun

a follower of the doctrines of a teacher or a school of thought

one of the personal followers of Christ (including his 12 apostles) during his earthly life

Derived forms of disciple

discipleship, noundiscipular (dɪˈsɪpjʊlə), adjective

Word Origin for disciple

Old English discipul, from Latin discipulus pupil, from discere to learn

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

disciple

Origin of disciple

synonym study for disciple

OTHER WORDS FROM disciple

Words nearby disciple

Words related to disciple

How to use disciple in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for disciple

Derived forms of disciple

Word Origin for disciple