Episcopalian

American  

[ih-pis-kuh-peyl-yuhn, -pey-lee-uhn] / ɪˌpɪs kəˈpeɪl yən, -ˈpeɪ li ən /

adjective

1. pertaining or adhering to the Episcopal Church in America.

2. (lowercase) pertaining or adhering to the episcopal form of church government.

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noun

1. a member of the Episcopal Church in America.

2. (lowercase) an adherent of the episcopal system of church government.

Episcopalian ¹ British  

/ ɪˌpɪskəˈpeɪlɪən /

adjective

1. belonging to or denoting the Episcopal Church

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noun

1. a member or adherent of this Church

episcopalian ² British  

/ ɪˌpɪskəˈpeɪlɪən /

adjective

1. practising or advocating the principle of Church government by bishops

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noun

1. an advocate of such Church government

Other Word Forms

• Episcopalianism noun
• episcopalianism noun
• non-Episcopalian noun
• nonepiscopalian adjective
• pseudo-Episcopalian adjective

Etymology

Origin of Episcopalian

First recorded in 1680–90; episcopal + -ian

Example Sentences

He used to present as a staid mainline Episcopalian, but now he denounces that church and speaks of being “mauled by demons.”

From Salon • May 19, 2025

Catholic, Anglican and Episcopalian churches follow liturgical calendars containing set Scripture passages to be read, with sermons or homilies to be derived from those passages.

From Washington Times • Oct. 26, 2023

“It’s a reminder that we have a finite term. Being raised a good Catholic girl, now an Episcopalian, I was raised to make the world a better place. I’ve got to do that.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 5, 2023

A devoted Episcopalian, Dr. Goodenough kept a tapestry of the Last Supper on the wall of his laboratory.

From New York Times • Jun. 26, 2023

They're about exclusive Manhattan clubs, invite-only charity dinners, trips to St. Croix, and the fancy Episcopalian cathedral full of powerful white people just like them.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins