minister
gb/mˈɪnɪstɚ/ us/mˈɪnɪstɚ/
A2
English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
High-ranking government official
An important person in the government who leads a department.
Usage pattern:
[a/the] minister of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'minister' with 'prime minister'; a prime minister is the head of government, while other ministers lead specific departments.
Synonyms
secretary (In American English, often used instead of 'minister' for government department heads.)
Antonyms
civil servant (A government worker who is not a political leader or department head.)
Collocations
foreign minister
|prime minister
|finance minister
|cabinet minister
|education minister
Themes
politics
|government
|law
Examples
- The foreign minister met with her counterparts to discuss trade agreements.
- He was appointed as the new finance minister last year.
- The education minister announced reforms to the school system.
Learner examples
- The prime minister spoke on TV.
- Our country has a new health minister.
- The minister of education visited our school.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Clergy member in charge of services
A church leader who leads services and helps people with their faith.
Usage pattern:
[a/the] minister at [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'minister' (religious leader) with 'priest'; 'priest' is more common in Catholic or Orthodox churches, while 'minister' is more common in Protestant churches.
Synonyms
pastor (Often used interchangeably, though 'pastor' can emphasize care for a congregation.)
Antonyms
layperson (Someone who is not a member of the clergy.)
Collocations
ordained minister
|wedding minister
|church minister
|youth minister
Themes
religion
|relationships
Examples
- The minister delivered a moving sermon on forgiveness.
- She spoke to the minister about joining the church choir.
- The couple asked their local minister to officiate their wedding.
Learner examples
- The minister works at our church.
- I listened to the minister's sermon.
- The minister will marry them next week.
Verb
formal
B2
action
3
Provide help or care
To help or take care of someone who needs it.
Usage pattern:
to minister to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Some learners mistakenly use 'minister' without 'to' when meaning 'give care'. The correct form is 'minister to someone'.
Synonyms
tend (Focuses more on physically taking care of someone, especially when sick.)
Antonyms
neglect (Failing to give needed help or care.)
Collocations
minister to the sick
|minister to the poor
Themes
helping
|care
|health
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Volunteers ministered to the victims of the disaster.
- She spent her weekends ministering to the elderly in the community.
- The nurse ministered to his wounds after the accident.
Learner examples
- She ministers to old people in her town.
- He ministers to people who are sick.
- They minister to children in need.
Grammar
Dictionary form
minister
IPA
GB/mˈɪnɪstɚ/
US/mˈɪnɪstɚ/
Syllables & stress
min - is - ter (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (min)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: minister
- Plural: ministers
Verb
- Base: minister
- 3rd Person Singular: ministers
- Present Participle: ministering
- Past: ministered
Word family
Forms
ministers
noun
ministering
verb
ministered
verb
Core family
ministry
noun B1
ministerial
adjective C1
Related words
administer
verb B2
administration
noun B1
Expressions
minister to [someone/something]
1/mˈɪnɪstɚ tə sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
Give aid or service to someone/something in need
To help or take care of someone or something that needs it.
Examples
- Doctors and nurses ministered to the injured after the earthquake.
- She devoted her life to ministering to refugees.
minister without portfolio
2/mˈɪnɪstɚ wɪðˈaʊt pɔɹtfˈoʊlioʊ/
fixed phrase
formal
Government minister without department duties
A government leader who does not manage a specific department but still has important duties.
Examples
- He was appointed as a minister without portfolio to advise on national security.
- The cabinet includes two ministers without portfolio.
prime minister
3/pɹˈaɪm mˈɪnɪstɚ/
fixed phrase
Head of government in a parliamentary system
The leader of the government in some countries, chosen by the parliament.
Examples
- The prime minister announced new environmental policies today.
- Canada's prime minister met with the president of the United States.