baptize
gb/bæptˈaɪz/ us/bæptˈaɪz/
B2
English
~ 10000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
perform the Christian baptism ritual
To perform the Christian act of putting water on someone, usually a baby, to show that they join the Christian religion.
Usage pattern:
to baptize [someone] (in/into/with the name of [someone])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *“I baptized when I was a baby”* instead of the correct passive form *“I was baptized when I was a baby.”* Also, many confuse the verb *baptize* (the action) with the noun *baptism* (the ceremony). Note that in British English the spelling *baptise* is common.
Synonyms
christen (Often used especially for baptizing infants and can emphasize giving the Christian name during the ceremony.)
|
baptize into the church (A fuller phrase that highlights entry into a particular Christian community.)
Antonyms
excommunicate (Removes someone from Christian community and sacraments, which is the opposite direction of initiating them through baptism.)
Collocations
baptize a child
|baptize the baby
|baptize new believers
|baptize in the name of
|be baptized as a Christian
|baptize with water
Themes
religion
|ceremony
|family
Examples
- They plan to baptize their daughter at the local church next month.
- The pastor refused to baptize the child without the parents’ consent.
- In many traditions, a priest will baptize the baby by sprinkling water on its head.
- He was baptized in the river, following the example described in the Bible.
- The new believers were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Learner examples
- The priest will baptize the baby on Sunday.
- I was baptized when I was a child.
- In this church, they baptize people in a pool of water.
- Her parents did not baptize her, so she chose to be baptized as an adult.
- They want to baptize their son in the same church as their parents.
Verb
B2
action
2
give a name in a ceremony
To give a special name to a person or thing, often in a ceremony or in a playful, symbolic way.
Usage pattern:
to baptize [someone/something] '[name]'
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse *baptize* when simple *name* is more natural, especially in non-religious contexts: say *“We named the dog Max”* rather than *“We baptized the dog Max”* unless you intentionally want a humorous or religious tone.
Synonyms
name (More general and less ceremonial; does not suggest a religious or symbolic act unless the context adds it.)
|
dub (Often used for giving someone a title or nickname, sometimes in a playful or journalistic style.)
|
christen (Very close in meaning, commonly used both for naming at baptism and for naming things like ships or projects.)
Antonyms
rename (Means to change an existing name rather than give a first or ceremonial name, which contrasts with the usual one-time act of baptizing.)
Collocations
baptize the ship
|baptize the project
|baptize the child "Anna"
|baptize this tradition
|popularly baptized as
Themes
naming
|identity
|culture
|communication
|religion
Examples
- They baptized the child Emma Rose after her grandmother.
- The company baptized its new software platform "Aurora."
- Locals quickly baptized the narrow street "Restaurant Row."
- Fans have baptized this player "the king of defense."
- Journalists baptized the scandal "Emailgate" within hours.
Learner examples
- They baptized their son Daniel.
- The town people baptized the old bridge "The Iron Lady."
- The team baptized the new plan "Project Hope."
- The media baptized the group "the silent majority."
- Her parents baptized her with two names.
Verb
technical
C1
action
3
fill someone with the Holy Spirit
In some Christian groups, to ask God to give someone a strong experience of the Holy Spirit.
Usage pattern:
to baptize [someone] in/with the Holy Spirit
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *baptize with the Holy Spirit* (a spiritual experience) with normal water baptism. In many churches these are taught as different ideas, so context is important.
Synonyms
fill (In religious contexts, *fill with the Holy Spirit* is common but sounds less technical than *baptize with the Holy Spirit*.)
|
anoint (Another religious term for giving someone a special spiritual power or blessing; broader and not limited to the Holy Spirit baptism idea.)
Antonyms
abandon (In theological language, the idea of God abandoning or withdrawing his Spirit is seen as the opposite of baptizing or filling someone with the Spirit.)
Collocations
baptize with the Holy Spirit
|baptize in the Holy Spirit
|be baptized in the Spirit
|baptize believers with fire
Themes
religion
|spirituality
Examples
- They prayed that God would baptize the new believers with the Holy Spirit.
- Some churches teach that Jesus will baptize his followers in the Holy Spirit and in fire.
- She says she was baptized in the Holy Spirit during a revival meeting.
- The pastor spoke about how the Spirit baptizes and empowers Christians for service.
- Members asked God to baptize their community with the Holy Spirit’s power.
Learner examples
- They believe Jesus can baptize people with the Holy Spirit.
- The church prayed for the youth to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
- He says he was baptized with the Holy Spirit last year.
- Some Christians wait many years to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
- They asked God to baptize their group with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Grammar
Dictionary form
baptize
IPA
GB/bæptˈaɪz/
US/bæptˈaɪz/
Syllables & stress
bap - tize (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tize)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: baptize
- 3rd Person Singular: baptizes
- Present Participle: baptizing
- Past: baptized
Word family
Expressions
baptize someone in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
1/bæptˈaɪz sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɪn ðə nˈeɪm əv ðə fˈɑðɚ | ðə sˈʌn | ˈænd ðə hˈoʊli spˈɪɹɪt/
fixed phrase
formal
use the full Christian baptism formula
To say the traditional Christian words while baptizing someone: "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
Examples
- The priest will baptize the child in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- In many churches, pastors must baptize converts in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- They asked if he was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit or only in Jesus’ name.
baptize someone in water
1/bæptˈaɪz sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɪn wˈɔtɚ/
fixed phrase
perform baptism using water
To use water when you baptize someone, usually by putting them into water or pouring water on them.
Examples
- Some churches baptize people in water by full immersion.
- Others baptize infants in water by sprinkling only a little on the head.
baptize someone into the faith
1/bæptˈaɪz sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɪntu ðə fˈeɪθ/
fixed phrase
bring someone into a faith by baptism
To show that someone officially enters a religion or church by baptizing them.
Examples
- They baptized the children into the faith during the Easter service.
- In that tradition, you are baptized into the faith as an infant.
baptize someone with the Holy Spirit
1/bæptˈaɪz sˈʌmwˌʌn wˈɪθ ðə hˈoʊli spˈɪɹɪt/
fixed phrase
technical
cause someone to receive the Holy Spirit
In some Christian groups, to ask God to give a strong experience of the Holy Spirit to someone.
Examples
- They prayed that Jesus would baptize the whole church with the Holy Spirit.
- The preacher said that God wants to baptize his people with the Holy Spirit and fire.
- Many members testified that they were baptized with the Holy Spirit at the conference.
be baptized by fire
1/bˈi bˈæptˌaɪzd bˈaɪ fˈaɪɚ/
idiom
have a very hard first experience
To go through a very hard or dangerous first experience that tests your ability.
Examples
- The new teacher was baptized by fire when three students started fighting on her first day.
- Young soldiers were baptized by fire in their first real battle.
- As a new manager, she was baptized by fire during a sudden financial crisis.