Pilgrim: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring to someone who travels to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion.

• During the festival, the city is filled with pilgrims heading to the temple.
• The ancient path is often walked by pilgrims seeking spiritual enlightenment.

Used primarily in literature or historical texts to describe someone who is traveling, usually for a long distance; this word is less common in modern usage.

• The peregrine journeyed across lands unknown to find his homeland.
• With a heart full of hope, the peregrine set off on an adventure.

Refers to someone who participates in religious services or practices, focusing on the act of worship rather than the journey.

• The worshippers knelt in silent prayer inside the church.
• Every Sunday morning, the worshippers gather for the service.

Best suited for someone with profound dedication to a cause, person, or religious practice.

• She is a devoted follower of the yoga guru.
• The devotees gathered around the shrine to offer their prayers.

This term is used to describe someone who travels to a holy place for religious reasons. It has a historical connotation, often associated with people who journeyed to sacred sites.

• Every year, thousands of pilgrims travel to Mecca.
• The Pilgrims who came to America in the 17th century were seeking religious freedom.

Refers to a person who moves to live in a new area, often in previously uninhabited or newly established regions. Like 'colonist', it can have negative connotations related to displacement of original inhabitants.

• The early settlers faced many hardships in their new home.
• Settlers migrated westward in search of land and opportunity.

Used for a person who settles in a new colony, particularly in the context of historical expansions and settlements. This term often has a negative connotation due to the impact on indigenous populations.

• The colonists established a new settlement along the coast.
• Colonists brought new diseases to the indigenous people.

This term is used for someone who establishes an institution, city, or organization. It suggests a role of leadership and creation.

• Steve Jobs was one of the founders of Apple.
• The founder of the small town envisioned it becoming a bustling city.