Christian Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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Christian

[ˈkrɪstʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

religion

A person who has received Christian baptism or is a believer in Christianity.

Synonyms

believer, disciple, follower.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
Christian	A person who follows the religion of Christianity; often used in general or formal contexts. John is a devout Christian The Christian holiday of Christmas is in December
believer	Someone who has faith in a particular set of religious beliefs; can apply to any faith but often used in the context of Christianity. She is a strong believer in the power of prayer Many believers gathered at the church for the service
follower	A person who adheres to the beliefs of a leader, often religious or philosophical; it can also be used in secular contexts to describe supporters of a person or idea. As a follower of Christ, she spends much of her time in prayer and worship He is a follower of the teachings of Buddha
disciple	A follower of a specific teacher, leader, or philosophy; often used in religious contexts to describe someone who closely follows the teachings of Jesus or another spiritual leader. The twelve apostles were the original disciples of Jesus He considers himself a disciple of Gandhi's principles

Examples of usage

She is a devout Christian and attends church every Sunday.
The majority of the population in this town is Christian.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

name

A male given name.

Examples of usage

Christian Bale is a famous actor.
I have a friend named Christian.

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

characteristics

Relating to or characteristic of Christianity or Christians.

Synonyms

faithful, religious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
Christian	This word is often used to describe someone who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. It can also refer to anything related to Christianity, such as beliefs, practices, or traditions. She grew up in a Christian household The Christian church organized a charity event
religious	This term describes someone with a strong belief in and practice of a particular religion. It is also used to refer to things related to religion in general. She is very religious and attends church every Sunday The city has a lot of religious festivals
faithful	This word describes a person who is loyal and devoted to their religion or beliefs. It can be used in a broader sense to imply loyalty and steadfastness in any context, not just religion. He remained faithful to his vows The dog is faithful to its owner

Word

Description / Examples

Christian

This word is often used to describe someone who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. It can also refer to anything related to Christianity, such as beliefs, practices, or traditions.

She grew up in a Christian household
The Christian church organized a charity event

religious

This term describes someone with a strong belief in and practice of a particular religion. It is also used to refer to things related to religion in general.

She is very religious and attends church every Sunday
The city has a lot of religious festivals

faithful

This word describes a person who is loyal and devoted to their religion or beliefs. It can be used in a broader sense to imply loyalty and steadfastness in any context, not just religion.

He remained faithful to his vows
The dog is faithful to its owner

Examples of usage

He has Christian values and beliefs.
The Christian community came together to help those in need.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The term 'Christian' is believed to have originated in Antioch around 40 AD, as a way to identify the followers of Jesus.
Initially, followers of Jesus were called 'Nazarenes' or 'Disciples' before the name 'Christian' became widely used.
The first recorded use of the word 'Christian' appears in the New Testament book of Acts, signifying a community that believed in Christ.

Cultural Impact

Christianity is the world's largest religion, with about 2.3 billion adherents as of 2021, influencing art, law, and education globally.
Christmas, a major Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, has become a widely recognized cultural event even among non-Christians.
Symbols like the cross and the fish ('Ichthys') are commonly associated with Christianity, representing faith and community.

Literature

Many classic works of literature, such as Dante's 'Divine Comedy' and John Milton's 'Paradise Lost', explore Christian themes and teachings.
The Bible, the holy book of Christians, has been translated into more languages than any other book in history, influencing countless literary works.
Christian allegory is a prominent theme, with stories often conveying moral and spiritual lessons.

Psychology

Research shows that practicing Christianity can provide individuals with a sense of community, purpose, and mental well-being.
Christian teachings emphasize love, forgiveness, and compassion, which can promote positive psychological health.
Studies suggest that engagement in faith-based activities can lead to lower levels of anxiety and increased resilience.

Art

Christian themes have inspired countless masterpieces throughout history, including works by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Rembrandt.
The Renaissance saw a flourishing of Christian art, as artists used their skills to depict biblical stories and figures.
Stained glass windows in churches not only serve aesthetic purposes but also educate the congregation about biblical stories and saints.

Origin of 'Christian'

The term 'Christian' originated from the Greek word 'Christianos', which means 'follower of Christ'. It was first used in Antioch to describe the followers of Jesus Christ. Christianity began as a sect of Judaism in the 1st century AD and eventually became a separate religion. Today, Christians make up a significant portion of the world's population, with different denominations and beliefs.