gospel

[gos-puhl]

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.

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

4. something regarded as true and implicitly believed.

   to take his report for gospel.

5. a doctrine regarded as of prime importance.

   political gospel.

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

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

8. gospel music.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or proclaiming the gospel or its teachings.

   a gospel preacher.

2. in accordance with the gospel; evangelical.

3. of or relating to gospel music.

   a gospel singer.

gospel

¹

/ 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

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

4. the message or doctrine of a religious teacher

5. 1. the story of Christ's life and teachings as narrated in the Gospels

   2. the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ

   3. ( as modifier )

      the gospel story

Gospel

²

/ 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

gospel

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

Other Word Forms

• nongospel adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gospel¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English go(d)spell, Old English gōdspell ( good, spell ² ); translation of Greek euangélion “good news” ( evangel ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of gospel¹

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

Example Sentences

The Taylor rule is far from gospel, but its signal today is unambiguous.

Read more on Barron's

“Predator” is prime Reagan-era action propaganda, closely associating male potency with guns and their firepower, daring to counter that gospel by reminding its audience of how soft humans are once the ammo runs out.

Read more on Salon

In interviews, Allen stressed that the lyrics aren't necessarily the gospel truth - because she "wasn't sure what was real, and what was in my head" as she processed the end of the relationship.

Read more on BBC

“It’s a calling,” says Rinaudo, referring to the desire to share the gospel of the photoplayer and keep the history of silent cinema alive.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Today, his gospel hides in plain sight in our faith in technology and in the Comtean motto on the Brazilian flag, “Order and Progress.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dogma 
• faith 
• truth