catholic

noun

(elliptically, often) A member of the Roman Catholic Church (which is also elliptically called the Catholic Church).

A member of a Catholic (western Christian) church.

adjective

Universal; all-encompassing.

(usually of people and their feelings, tastes, etc.) Embracing all.

Of universal human interest or use.

Of the Roman Catholic church in particular.

Of the Western Christian church, as differentiated from e.g. the Orthodox church.

Alternative letter-case form of Catholic. [Of the Western Christian church, as differentiated from e.g. the Orthodox church.]

Alternative letter-case form of catholic. [Universal; all-encompassing.]

(obsolete) Common or prevalent; especially universally prevalent.

(of medicines or remedies, obsolete) Universally applicable.

Roots

katacath- · Greek · down, according to holos-holic · Greek · whole, entire

Synonyms for catholic

ecumenicadj ecumenicaladj

Synonyms & related words for catholic

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of catholic — including ecumenic, ecumenical. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to catholic

Explore words related to catholic — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include catholically, catholicly, catholicize, episcopal, episcopalian, protestant, mozzetta, popish. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for catholic

Common synonyms for catholic include ecumenic, ecumenical — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does catholic come from?

The word catholic breaks down into 2 roots of Greek origin: cath-, from Greek kata (“down, according to”); and -holic, from Greek holos (“whole, entire”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.