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

A 200-year-old Episcopal seminary in Virginia has thrown a financial lifeline to a struggling Episcopalian school in New York City — in part to head off a looming, critical shortage of clergy in the denomination.

From Washington Times • Feb. 14, 2023

Dr. Evans, an Episcopalian, often spoke of feeling called by God to care for children.

From New York Times • Sep. 30, 2022

Her father, Robert, was an Episcopalian minster who lost his hearing when we was struck by lightning at age 4.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2022

“Yeah, but I told you that she’s Episcopalian or Presbyterian or something. She’s Christian.”

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner