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Monsignor

American  
[mon-see-nyer, mawn-see-nyawr] / mɒnˈsi njər, ˌmɔn siˈnjɔr /
Or monsignor

noun

Roman Catholic Church.
  • Monsignors,
    plural
  • Monsignori
    plural
  1. a title conferred upon certain prelates.

  2. a person bearing this title.


Monsignor British  
/ mɒnˈsiːnjə, monsiɲˈɲor /

noun

  1. Abbreviation: Mgr, Msgr. RC Church an ecclesiastical title attached to certain offices or distinctions usually bestowed by the Pope

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns


Etymology

Origin of Monsignor

1635–45; < Italian < French Monseigneur Monseigneur ( def. ); see signor


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

That news reads like a bit of a genre-mashed Mad Libs, so we’ll slow down a bit: Monsignor Stephen Rossetti has been working in the Washington Archdiocese for the past 15 years as an exorcist.

From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2026

His new boss is the imposing Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, despotically played by Josh Brolin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 27, 2025

"Of course, the Pope has a message. But at the same time, he is also the message," says Monsignor Stephen Yim, co-chair of the organising committee at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2024

Monsignor John Kennedy, who heads the Vatican office investigating abuse cases, said his staff was working diligently to process cases and had received praise from individual bishops, entire conferences who visit and religious superiors.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 19, 2024

Every week his picture was in the papers next to Monsignor Pittini, overseeing some good deed.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

Monsignori in purple stockings and tricornered hats, contadini in gay reds and crimsons, cardinals in scarlet.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 05, No. 28, February, 1860 by Various

The Cardinals in scarlet, and Monsignori in purple, were there; and a body of officiating Clergy.

From Life of John Sterling by Thomas Carlyle

He lived to the age of eighty, and left children, who keep the family of the Monsignori alive in Mantua.

From Lives of the most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects Vol. 06 (of 10) Fra Giocondo to Niccolo Soggi by Gaston du C. De Vere

There was to be very good singing at one of the small chapels, but it was already so full that we couldn't get in, though we had cards from one of the Monsignori.

From Italian Letters of a Diplomat's Life January-May, 1880; February-April, 1904 by Mary Alsop King Waddington

I'm told that they are allowing some new class of people called "Monsignori," and even some little canons, to assume the distinctive color of the episcopate.

From My New Curate by Patrick Augustine Sheehan

“By failing to take any action, the Chancery Monsignors enabled the predatory and harassing conduct of Bishop Bransfield, and allowed him to recklessly spend Diocesan funds for his own personal use,” the report said.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 5, 2019

When the wires grew quiet, Count Dalla Torre had leisure and opportunity to confer with Monsignors, Cardinals and even the Most Blessed Father respecting the Grand Prix whizz-smash.

From Time Magazine Archive

Monsignors Giovanni Montini and Domenico Tardini labored long in the Vatican as equal advisers to the Pope until Pius XII appointed Montini Archbishop of Milan two years ago.

From Time Magazine Archive

The higher clergy in Christian circles, Bishops and Monsignors, were a favourite target, and among Moslems influential Sheikhs.

From Crescent and Iron Cross by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson

The Pope arrived at eight o’clock, and then proceeded to celebrate the communion, assisted by Monsignors Bacon, bishop of Portland, U.S., and Goro, bishop of Liverpool. 

From Rome in 1860 by Edward Dicey

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