kirk
gb/kˈɚk/ us/kˈɚk/
B2
English
~ 9900
skót presbiteriánus templom, templom, Skót Egyház
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
the kirk of [place]
They were married in the small village kirk on the hill.
A dombon álló kis falusi templomban házasodtak össze.
You can see the kirk from almost every house in the town.
A város szinte minden házából látni lehet a templomot.
The path leads from the harbor up to the old stone kirk.
On Sunday the whole family walks together to the kirk.
The new minister was welcomed by a full kirk last weekend.
Learner examples
The kirk stands in the middle of the village.
A templom a falu közepén áll.
Every Sunday, she goes to the kirk with her grandmother.
Minden vasárnap a nagymamájával megy a templomba.
We visited a very old kirk during our trip to Scotland.
There is a graveyard beside the kirk.
The bell of the kirk rings at ten o'clock.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "kirk" is a general word for any church in English. In fact, it is mainly used in Scotland and some northern English areas. Outside these regions, people usually say "church" instead. Learners may also confuse "kirk" with the personal name "Kirk" (a surname or first name), which is capitalized and not related in meaning.
Meaning
Scottish word for church building
Collocations
go to the kirk
|the village kirk
|old stone kirk
|country kirk
|kirk porch
|kirk bell
Synonyms
church (The usual general English word; not limited to Scotland or Presbyterian churches.)
Themes
religion
|culture
|scotland
|housing
Definition
A church building in Scotland or the north of England, especially for a Presbyterian group.
In Scottish and some northern English usage, a Christian church building, especially one used by a Presbyterian congregation.
NOUN
C1
2
Skót Egyház
B2
Usage pattern:
the Kirk in [place]
Debate continues within the Kirk about its role in modern Scottish society.
A Skót Egyházon belül továbbra is vita folyik a modern skót társadalomban betöltött szerepéről.
She has been an active member of the Kirk since her student days in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh-i egyetemi évei óta aktív tagja a Skót Egyháznak.
The report was commissioned by the Kirk to examine falling attendance.
Historically, the Kirk has had significant influence on Scottish education.
These proposals mark a major change in the Kirk’s position on social issues.
Learner examples
Her family has a long history in the Kirk.
A családjának hosszú múltja van a Skót Egyházban.
The Kirk is an important part of Scottish history.
A Skót Egyház a skót történelem fontos része.
He is training to be a minister in the Kirk.
Many people in Scotland still belong to the Kirk.
The Kirk holds a big meeting every year.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "kirk" and "the Kirk" are always the same. However, lowercase "kirk" often means a church building, while capitalized "the Kirk" usually refers to the Church of Scotland as an institution. Some learners also confuse "the Kirk" with any church in Scotland, but it more specifically means the national Presbyterian church.
Meaning
the Church of Scotland institution
Collocations
the Kirk and state
|ministers of the Kirk
|Kirk membership
|Kirk politics
|Kirk courts
|Kirk doctrine
Synonyms
the Church of Scotland (Full official English name; more explicit and widely understood outside Scotland.)
Antonyms
the state (In discussions of "Kirk and state", the civil government is contrasted with the religious institution.)
Themes
religion
|politics
|scotland
Definition
The main Presbyterian church in Scotland, called the Church of Scotland, often written as "the Kirk".
The Church of Scotland, especially when referred to as a national Presbyterian institution, usually written with a capital K as "the Kirk".
Grammar
Dictionary form
kirk
IPA
GB/kˈɚk/
US/kˈɚk/
Syllables & stress
kirk (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (kirk)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: kirk
- Plural: kirks
Word family
Expressions
Free Kirk
1/fɹˈi kˈɚk/
fixed phrase
name for a separate Scottish Presbyterian church
A name, especially in Scotland, for a Presbyterian church group that is separate from the Church of Scotland.
Examples
- His grandparents were members of the Free Kirk rather than the established church.
- The old Free Kirk building has now been turned into a community centre.
- Tensions once ran high between the Kirk and the Free Kirk in some towns.
go to the kirk
1/ɡˈoʊ tə ðə kˈɚk/
fixed phrase
attend a service in a kirk
To attend a Christian religious service in a kirk (a Scottish church building).
Examples
- Every Sunday they go to the kirk as a family.
- When we stayed with my aunt, she took us to go to the kirk on Christmas morning.
- Fewer young people now go to the kirk than in their grandparents’ time.
kirk session
1/kˈɚk sˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
local church court in the Kirk
The group of elders and the minister who manage and make decisions for a local Church of Scotland congregation.
Examples
- The kirk session will discuss the proposal at its next meeting.
- Complaints were brought before the kirk session for consideration.
- She was recently ordained as an elder and now sits on the kirk session.
the Kirk
1/ðə kˈɚk/
fixed phrase
fixed name for Church of Scotland
A short name for the Church of Scotland, the main Presbyterian church in Scotland.
Examples
- The decision has caused intense discussion within the Kirk.
- Many rural communities still look to the Kirk for moral guidance.
- She hopes the Kirk will become more open and welcoming in the future.