Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

preacher

/ˈpɹiːt͡ʃəː/ noun

In Latin: praedicator Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about preacher at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Someone who preaches a worldview, philosophy, or religion, especially someone who preaches the gospel and especially a clergyman or clergywoman. In a religious context, usually used only to refer to Protestant Christian clergy.

Origin

From Middle English precher, prechere; partly equivalent to preach + -er, and partly continuing Middle English prechour, prechiour, from Old French preecheor (French prêcheur), from Latin praedicator (“public praiser, proclaimer”). See preach. Displaced native Old English bydel.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word