What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sacristan
Example
The sacristan prepared the altar for the morning mass. [sacristan: noun]
Example
The priest asked the sacristan to bring the chalice and paten from the sacristy. [sacristan: noun]
sexton
Example
The sexton mowed the lawn and trimmed the hedges around the church. [sexton: noun]
Example
The sexton rang the bells to signal the start of the service. [sexton: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sexton is more commonly used than sacristan in everyday language. Sexton is a more general term that can refer to a caretaker of any type of building or property, while sacristan is specific to a church setting.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sacristan and sexton?
Both sacristan and sexton are formal terms that are typically used in religious contexts. However, sacristan may be considered more formal because it is a specialized term that is not commonly used outside of church settings.
