Monsignor
Americannoun
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Monsignors,
plural
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Monsignori
plural
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a title conferred upon certain prelates.
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a person bearing this title.
noun
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:
You really think things have improved in Boyle Heights despite the nonstop procession of problems, Monsignor?
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026
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
Once again, it was Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin and his deputy, Monsignor Pena Parra, who saw Pope Francis in his 10th-floor hospital room.
From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2025
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
Francesco Monsignori ought not to be referred to Verona, but to Mantua, where he established himself, honoured by the Marchese Francesco with his confidence, and remunerated in the most liberal manner.
From The History of Painting in Italy, Vol. IV (of 6) from the Period of the Revival of the Fine Arts to the End of the Eighteenth Century by Luigi Antonio Lanzi
It is a saying current among the Monsignori that the Bishops are nothing but servants of the Pope.
From Letters From Rome on the Council by Johann Joseph Ignaz von D?llinger
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
He made a few cautious enquiries about her, and learnt that she lived very quietly,—that she received certain "great" people,—especially Cardinals and Monsignori, notably Monsignor Gherardi, who was a constant visitor.
From The Master-Christian by Marie Corelli
“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
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
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
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
