friar

noun

fri·​ar ˈfrī(-ə)r How to pronounce friar (audio)
: a member of a mendicant order

Examples of friar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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To get in touch with the miraculous Francis, the folkloric Francis, read the Fioretti, or The Little Flowers of St. Francis, a 14th-century collection of tales about the saint and his friars. James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025 She will be expected to support communities including monks, nuns, and friars who live according to specific spiritual rules such as Benedictines and Franciscans. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 In the case of poinsettia, Franciscan friars during the 17th century co-opted its use to decorate nativity scenes and altars, as well as to convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity. Norman Ellstrand and Nathan Ellstrand / Made By History, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024 The downtown-superstar cast comprised the funniest lineup of friars possible—Ugo Chukwu, David Greenspan, Crystal Finn, etc.—but there was also a secret seriousness to this comedy, which spoke to the pain and necessity of schism. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for friar

Word History

Etymology

Middle English frere, fryer, from Anglo-French frere, friere, fraire literally, brother, from Latin fratr-, frater — more at brother

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of friar was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Friar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/friar. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

friar

noun
fri·​ar ˈfrī(-ə)r How to pronounce friar (audio)
: a member of a Roman Catholic religious order for men

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