Wesleyan

[ wes-lee-uhn, wez- ]

/ ˈwɛs li ən, ˈwɛz- /

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adjective

of or relating to John Wesley, founder of Methodism.

pertaining to Methodism.

noun

a follower of John Wesley.

Chiefly British. a Methodist.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of Wesleyan

First recorded in 1765–75; Wesley + -an

Words nearby Wesleyan

“We Shall Overcome”, Wesker, weskit, Weslaco, Wesley, Wesleyan, Wesleyanism, Wesleyan Methodist, Wesley, John, Wessex, Wessex culture

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

How to use Wesleyan in a sentence

The first Cabinet member was Tommy Kail, a fellow Wesleyan grad and an ambitious young director.
How In the Heights went from a student musical to one of the summer’s biggest movies|Constance Grady|June 11, 2021|Vox
The show would, eventually, become a smash — but only after an endless, tortured series of workshops and revisions saw it heavily transformed from its origins at Wesleyan.
How In the Heights went from a student musical to one of the summer’s biggest movies|Constance Grady|June 11, 2021|Vox
Miranda began workshopping In the Heights for a potential Broadway run in 2002, shortly after graduating from Wesleyan.
How In the Heights went from a student musical to one of the summer’s biggest movies|Constance Grady|June 11, 2021|Vox
I gave the Wesleyan commencement speech and also received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters.
We Must Give All Prisoners Access to Resources to Pursue College Education|Reginald Dwayne Betts|May 27, 2021|Time

I spoke first with Scott Ellman, a student at Wesleyan University and now the Huffington Post editor-at-large for his campus.
Fraternities in a Post-UVA World|Samantha Allen|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rapping 101 is apparently not a class offered at Wesleyan University.
Wesleyan Rap Genius: “We Have Girlfriends. How Can We Promote Sexual Assault?”|Olivia Nuzzi|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gallo charges that the rape allegations at Wesleyan minimize legitimate rape allegations.
Wesleyan Rap Genius: “We Have Girlfriends. How Can We Promote Sexual Assault?”|Olivia Nuzzi|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
LB: I studied history, literature, and philosophy at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.
How We Write (Husband and Wife Edition): Lemony Snicket and Lisa Brown|Noah Charney|January 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The truth turns out to be a little more complicated, according to a new study by the Wesleyan Media Project.
Campaign-Finance October Surprise: More Money Doesn’t Equal Big Win|David Freedlander|October 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The old Wesleyan chapel, in Martin Street, was fitted up for schools in 1865.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
A great work in the business of spreading Wesleyan Methodism has been done by the people and parsons of Lune-street chapel.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus
Mr. Adams was five years in America, and he is now completing the tenth year of his career as a regular Wesleyan minister.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus
That a Wesleyan missionary ventured, entitles him to the esteem of mankind.
The History of Tasmania , Volume II (of 2)|John West
There is a small church, a Wesleyan chapel, an inn and a post station.
The History of Tasmania , Volume II (of 2)|John West

British Dictionary definitions for Wesleyan

Wesleyan

/ (ˈwɛzlɪən) /

adjective

of, relating to, or deriving from John Wesley

of, relating to, or characterizing Methodism, esp in its original form or as upheld by the branch of the Methodist Church known as the Wesleyan Methodists

noun

a follower of John Wesley

a member of the Methodist Church or (formerly) of the Wesleyan Methodists

Derived forms of Wesleyan

Wesleyanism, noun

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