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• Episcopalian
  Episcopalian

  adjective

  pertaining or adhering to the Episcopal Church in America.
• episcopalian
  episcopalian

  adjective

  practising or advocating the principle of Church government by bishops

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

“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

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

From New York Times • Sep. 30, 2022

Neil M. Gorsuch was raised Catholic but attends Episcopalian services.

From Washington Times • Jul. 30, 2022

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

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner