gospel

1 of 2

noun

gos·​pel ˈgä-spəl 

1

a

often capitalized : the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation

b

capitalized : one of the first four New Testament books telling of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

also : a similar apocryphal (see apocrypha sense 2) book

c

: an interpretation of the Christian message

the social gospel

2

capitalized : a lection (see lection sense 1) from one of the New Testament Gospels

3

: the message or teachings of a religious teacher

4

: something accepted or promoted as infallible (see infallible sense 1) truth or as a guiding principle or doctrine

took her words as gospel

spreading the gospel of conservation

—R. M. Hodesh

5

: gospel music

gospelly

ˈgä-spə-lē 

adjective

gospel

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: having a basis in or being in accordance with the gospel (see gospel entry 1 sense 1) : evangelical

ordained to the gospel ministry

—Christian Century

b

: marked by special or fervid emphasis on the gospel

a gospel meeting

2

: of, relating to, or being religious songs of American origin associated with evangelism and popular devotion and marked by simple melody and harmony and elements of folk songs and blues

Synonyms

Noun

• credo
• creed
• doctrine
• dogma
• ideology
• idealogy
• philosophy
• testament

Examples of gospel in a Sentence

Noun

a reading from the Gospel of St. John

her private gospel is to do good cheerfully and without any expectation of reward

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Throughout his seven-decade career, Jones dabbled in big-band jazz, bebop, gospel, blues, soul, funk, quiet storm R&B, disco, rock, and rap. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024

Its lyrics and structure evoke the gospel tradition — a sonic bridge into the realm of spirituality and faith. —Alex Rivera, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Smyth had gradually come to accept their theories too as gospel truth, and had incorporated them into his thesis. —Jimmy Maher, Ars Technica, 15 Mar. 2020

Meanwhile in South Carolina, Booker's campaign has launched a new radio advertisement on eight urban contemporary and gospel radio stations across the state. —Caitlin Conant, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Middle English, from Old English gōdspel (translation of Late Latin evangelium), from gōd good + spell tale — more at spell entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gospel

• accept/take as gospel
• gospel side
• social gospel
• the gospel truth

Kids Definition

gospel

1 of 2 noun

gos·​pel ˈgäs-pəl 

1

a

often capitalized : the Christian message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation

b

capitalized : one of the first four New Testament books telling of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

2

: something accepted as the truth or as a guiding principle

3

: gospel music

gospel

2 of 2 adjective

1

: relating to or in accordance with the gospel : evangelical

2

: of or relating to religious songs associated with evangelism

a gospel singer

Etymology

Noun

Old English gōdspel, a translation of Greek euangelion "gospel," literally, "good tidings, good news"; gōdspel from gōd "good" and spell "talk, tale"