monastic

[ muh-nas-tik ]

/ məˈnæs tɪk /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: monastic / monastics on Thesaurus.com

adjective Also mo·nas·ti·cal.

of or relating to monasteries: a monastic library.

of, relating to, or characteristic of monks or nuns, their manner of life, or their religious obligations: monastic vows.

of, relating to, or characteristic of a secluded, dedicated, or austere manner of living.

noun

a member of a monastic community or order, especially a monk.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of monastic

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English monastik, from Middle French monastique or directly from Late Latin monasticus, from Late Greek monastikós, equivalent to monas- (derivative of monázein “to be alone, live alone”) + -ikos adjective suffix, with -t- by analogy with derivatives of agent nouns in -tēs; see mon-,-ic: cf. athlete)

OTHER WORDS FROM monastic

mo·nas·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·mo·nas·tic, adjectivenon·mo·nas·ti·cal·ly, adverbpseu·do·mo·nas·tic, adjective

pseu·do·mo·nas·ti·cal, adjectivepseu·do·mo·nas·ti·cal·ly, adverbsem·i·mo·nas·tic, adjectiveun·mo·nas·tic, adjectiveun·mo·nas·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby monastic

monarchy, monarda, monas, Monash, monastery, monastic, monasticism, Monastral, monatomic, monaul, monaural

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use monastic in a sentence

In recent years, many Buddhist nuns have taken on leadership roles that require either ordination status or academic degrees, all of which was quite unheard of in Buddhist monastic traditions in the past.
Buddhist Nuns And Female Scholars Are Gaining New Leadership Roles, In A Tradition That Began With The Ordination Of Buddha’s Foster Mother|LGBTQ-Editor|December 9, 2021|No Straight News
The concept advocates an almost monastic outlook, including not getting married, not having children, not having a job, not owning property, and consuming as little as possible.
A niche Chinese Gen Z meme is ringing alarm bells for Beijing|Jane Li|June 18, 2021|Quartz
These saints had been assigned female at birth but lived out their lives as men in male monastic communities.
Anti-Blackness and transphobia are older than we thought|Roland Betancourt|June 16, 2021|Washington Post
I’m so shocked that we continue to interview talent in that one to one monastic way.
The business imperative behind inclusion and diversity|Kim Davis|April 12, 2021|Search Engine Land

By the way, if you went into monastic silence, then you’d probably be the exact same way, just by glaring.
Carolyn Hax: Her heart isn’t hurtful, but her voice can sound like it is|Carolyn Hax|April 8, 2021|Washington Post
Christianity spawned the monastic movement, originally in Egypt, that insisted upon peace, self-reliance, education and charity.
Karen Armstrong’s New Rule: Religion Isn’t Responsible for Violence|Patricia Pearson|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A similar monastic silence reigned, and the atmosphere was also of high seriousness and hygiene.
My Week At An Austrian Fat Camp|Owen Matthews|October 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But his period of monastic seclusion officially comes to an end on Thursday.
Brennan Emerges From The Shadows|Daniel Klaidman|August 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A Youtube video of some jet-setting Buddhist monks has Thailand scrambling to crack down on materialism in the monastic ranks.
Jet-Setting Video of Thai Buddhist Monks Causes Scandal|Erin Cunningham|June 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This should be manifestly clear this morning even to the most monastic heirs of David Broder.
Mr. Smith's Insane Cousins Go to Washington|Michael Tomasky|December 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In short, Marcella had been too long under her tuition, to become a willing devotee to the monastic rites of the Romish Church.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Ample tolerance of all religions and sects, but abolition and expulsion of all monastic Orders.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
A bill brought into the English parliament vesting in the crown all the property of the monastic institutions.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Imagine, nowadays, I am often drawn towards the monastic life, or something similar.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
The girl leaned over and remade my monastic white cot, giving the pillow a final pat to smooth it.
The Idyl of Twin Fires|Walter Prichard Eaton

British Dictionary definitions for monastic

monastic

/ (məˈnæstɪk) /

adjective monastical

of or relating to monasteries or monks, nuns, etc

resembling this sort of life; reclusive

noun

a person who is committed to this way of life, esp a monk

Derived forms of monastic

monastically, adverb

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

monastic

Origin of monastic

OTHER WORDS FROM monastic

Words nearby monastic

Words related to monastic

How to use monastic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for monastic

Derived forms of monastic