gospel

[ gos-puhl ]
See synonyms for gospel on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the teachings of Jesus and the apostles; the Christian revelation.

  2. the story of Christ's life and teachings, especially as contained in the first four books of the New Testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

  1. (usually initial capital letter) any of these four books.

  2. something regarded as true and implicitly believed: to take his report for gospel.

  3. a doctrine regarded as of prime importance: political gospel.

  4. glad tidings, especially concerning salvation and the kingdom of God as announced to the world by Christ.

  5. (often initial capital letter)Ecclesiastical. an extract from one of the four Gospels, forming part of the Eucharistic service in certain churches.

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or proclaiming the gospel or its teachings: a gospel preacher.

  2. in accordance with the gospel; evangelical.

  1. of or relating to gospel music: a gospel singer.

Origin of gospel

1
First recorded before 950; Middle English go(d)spell, Old English gōdspell (see good, spell2); translation of Greek euangélion “good news” (see evangel1)

Other words from gospel

  • non·gos·pel, adjective

Words Nearby gospel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use gospel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gospel (1 of 2)

gospel

/ (ˈɡɒspəl) /


noun
  1. Also called: gospel truth an unquestionable truth: to take someone's word as gospel

  2. a doctrine maintained to be of great importance

  1. Black religious music originating in the churches of the Southern states of the United States

  2. the message or doctrine of a religious teacher

    • the story of Christ's life and teachings as narrated in the Gospels

    • the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ

    • (as modifier): the gospel story

Origin of gospel

1
Old English gōdspell, from gōd good + spell message; see spell ²; compare Old Norse guthspjall, Old High German guotspell

British Dictionary definitions for Gospel (2 of 2)

Gospel

/ (ˈɡɒspəl) /


noun
  1. any of the first four books of the New Testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

  2. a reading from one of these in a religious service

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

Cultural definitions for gospel

gospel

The “good news” of salvation (see also salvation) (see Gospels). Certain styles of religious music are also called “gospel.” (See spirituals (see also spirituals).)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.