vicar
gb/vˈɪkɚ/ us/vˈɪkɚ/
B2
English
~ 9500
lelkész, plébános, általános helynök
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a/the vicar of [a church/parish]
The new vicar introduced herself to the congregation on Sunday.
Az új lelkész vasárnap bemutatkozott a gyülekezetnek.
After the service, the vicar stayed behind to talk with members of the parish.
Az istentisztelet után a lelkész ott maradt, hogy beszélgessen a gyülekezet tagjaival.
The village vicar visits elderly residents in their homes every week.
They asked the vicar if they could get married in the church next summer.
The vicar gave a moving sermon about forgiveness.
Learner examples
The vicar lives next to the church.
A lelkész a templom mellett lakik.
We talked to the vicar after the service.
Az istentisztelet után beszéltünk a lelkésszel.
The vicar will baptize their baby on Sunday.
My grandmother knows the vicar very well.
The vicar reads from the Bible in church.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'vicar' is a general word for any religious leader. In modern English it is mainly used for certain Christian priests, especially in the Church of England. In American English, 'pastor' or 'priest' is usually more common.
Meaning
parish priest in some churches
Collocations
the local vicar
|parish vicar
|the vicar of [St Mary's]
|Anglican vicar
|talk to the vicar
Synonyms
parish priest (More specific term, focuses on the priest's responsibility for a particular parish; common in Catholic and Anglican contexts.)
|
pastor (Common in Protestant and especially American English; can sound less formal and more general than 'vicar'.)
|
minister (Broad term for a Christian religious leader; does not specify the exact role or church structure.)
Antonyms
layperson (Refers to someone who is not an ordained member of the clergy, the opposite of a vicar in a church setting.)
Themes
religion
|society
|community
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A Christian priest who leads a local church, especially in the Church of England.
A priest or minister who is in charge of a local church and its congregation, especially in the Church of England and some other Christian denominations.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
Usage pattern:
a/the vicar [general/of the bishop]
The bishop appointed a new vicar general to assist with the administration of the diocese.
A püspök új általános helynököt nevezett ki, hogy segítse az egyházmegye irányítását.
As papal vicar, he had the authority to make decisions in the Pope’s name in that region.
Pápai helynökként felhatalmazása volt arra, hogy azon a területen a pápa nevében döntsön.
An episcopal vicar may oversee several parishes on behalf of the bishop.
The document had to be signed by the vicar acting for the archbishop.
Historically, a vicar could exercise many of the powers of the higher church official he represented.
Learner examples
The vicar general helps the bishop with his work.
Az általános helynök segíti a püspök munkáját.
A papal vicar can make decisions for the Pope in that place.
A pápai helynök azon a helyen a pápa nevében hozhat döntéseket.
The bishop chose a vicar to act for him in the city.
The vicar has power because the bishop gives it to him.
The vicar works under the bishop’s authority.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this technical church-legal sense with the more common parish-priest sense. In many texts, especially about Catholic or Orthodox structures, 'vicar' refers to someone with delegated authority, not necessarily the local church priest.
Meaning
official representative of higher clergy
Collocations
vicar general
|papal vicar
|episcopal vicar
|vicar apostolic
|vicar of the bishop
Synonyms
deputy (General word for someone who acts in place of another; not limited to religious contexts.)
|
representative (Broad, non-religious term; does not carry the specific church-legal meaning that 'vicar' has here.)
Antonyms
principal (The person who holds the original authority, as opposed to the vicar who acts on their behalf.)
Themes
religion
|law
|institutions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A church official who has power to act for a bishop or another high church leader.
A priest or cleric who acts with delegated authority on behalf of a higher-ranking church official, such as a bishop or the Pope.
Grammar
Dictionary form
vicar
IPA
GB/vˈɪkɚ/
US/vˈɪkɚ/
Syllables & stress
vicar (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (vicar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: vicar
- Plural: vicars
Word family
Forms
vicars
noun
Core family
vicarage
noun
Advanced or less common
vicarious
adjective
vicariously
adverb
Expressions
More tea, vicar?
1/mˈɔɹ tˈi | vˈɪkɚ ‖/
idiom
informal
joking way to cover embarrassment
A British humorous phrase said when something embarrassing or sexual happens, used to pretend nothing is wrong and to change the topic.
Examples
- As the couple started kissing loudly in the corner, someone muttered, "More tea, vicar?"
- He knocked over his drink during the speech, and his friend joked, "More tea, vicar?" to break the tension.
- The phrase "More tea, vicar?" is often used in comedies to make fun of very polite British manners during awkward moments.
vicar general
1/vˈɪkɚ d͡ʒˈɛnɚəl/
fixed phrase
technical
priest who is bishop’s deputy
A senior priest who helps a bishop run a large church area and can make many decisions for him.
Examples
- The vicar general oversees the daily administration of the diocese.
- After the bishop fell ill, the vicar general took on most of his duties.
- Canon law describes the powers that a vicar general may exercise.
Vicar of Christ
1/vˈɪkɚ əv kɹˈaɪst/
fixed phrase
formal
title of the Pope as Christ’s representative
An official name for the Pope, meaning he is seen as the person who represents Jesus Christ on Earth.
Examples
- In Catholic teaching, the Pope is called the Vicar of Christ.
- The title "Vicar of Christ" highlights the Pope’s role as a spiritual leader for all Catholics.
- Historically, many documents refer to the Pope simply as the Vicar of Christ.