vicar

American  

[vik-er] / ˈvɪk ər /

noun

1. Church of England.

   1. a person acting as priest of a parish in place of the rector, or as representative of a religious community to which tithes belong.

   2. the priest of a parish in which tithes were formerly transferred to a religious house, chapter, or layperson, the priest receiving only the smaller tithes or a salary.

2. Protestant Episcopal Church.

   1. a member of the clergy whose sole or chief charge is a chapel dependent on the church of a parish.

   2. a bishop's assistant in charge of a church or mission.

3. Roman Catholic Church. an ecclesiastic representing the pope or a bishop.

4. a person who acts in place of another; substitute.

5. a person who is authorized to perform the functions of another; deputy.

   God's vicar on earth.

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vicar British  

/ ˈvɪkə /

noun

1. Church of England

   1. (in Britain) a clergyman appointed to act as priest of a parish from which, formerly, he did not receive tithes but a stipend

   2. a clergyman who acts as assistant to or substitute for the rector of a parish at Communion

   3. (in the US) a clergyman in charge of a chapel

2. RC Church a bishop or priest representing the pope or the ordinary of a diocese and exercising a limited jurisdiction

3. Also called: lay vicar.   vicar choral.  Church of England a member of a cathedral choir appointed to sing certain parts of the services

4. a person appointed to do the work of another

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Other Word Forms

• subvicar noun
• subvicarship noun
• undervicar noun
• vicarly adjective
• vicarship noun

Etymology

Origin of vicar

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French vicare, vicaire, vikere, from Old French vicaire, from Latin vicārius “a substitute, deputy,” noun use of adjective; vicarious

Example Sentences

“Why hit the first time? OK, why hit again?” said Father Antonius Eid-Farah, the vicar of St. George Parish and aide to Al-Rahi.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

As originally built it did not include a place of worship, but a large donation by a vicar and the agitation of some faithful fellows saw plans approved.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

Team vicar, the Reverend Jane Yeadon, was so keen to be on set during filming that she had it written into the contract.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2025

Based on the novels of James Runcie, the show initially starred Happy Valley star James Norton as the village vicar, Sidney Chambers, before Tom Brittney joined as new clergyman, Will Davenport.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2025

The guards on the wall this morning were the Reverend Myles, the vicar of Wall, and Mr. Bromios, the innkeeper.

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman

Related Words

• pastor