What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
clergyman
Example
The clergyman delivered an inspiring sermon to the churchgoers. [clergyman: noun]
Example
The young clergyman dedicated his life to serving his community. [clergyman: noun]
priest
Example
The priest blessed the congregation during the Sunday Mass. [priest: noun]
Example
The young priest devoted himself to his parishioners' spiritual needs. [priest: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Priest is more commonly used than clergyman in everyday language, especially within Catholic and Anglican contexts. Clergyman is a less common term and is more likely to be used in a broader sense to refer to male members of the clergy in various Christian denominations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between clergyman and priest?
While clergyman is generally considered a formal term, priest can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the religious tradition being referred to.
