evangelist

noun

evan·​ge·​list i-ˈvan-jə-list How to pronounce evangelist (audio)
1
often capitalized : a writer of any of the four Gospels
2
: a person who evangelizes
specifically : a Protestant minister or layman who preaches at special services
3
: an enthusiastic advocate
an evangelist for physical fitness

Examples of evangelist in a Sentence

an evangelist of space exploration
Recent Examples on the Web The governor is going to the Vatican as an evangelist on climate change and to testify about California’s experience and leadership, said Sean Clegg, a senior political advisor to Newsom. Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024 Like Bickle, both Cain and Jones — not the evangelist who founded Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina — went through scandals of their own. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for evangelist 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'evangelist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of evangelist was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near evangelist

Cite this Entry

“Evangelist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evangelist. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

evangelist

noun
evan·​ge·​list i-ˈvan-jə-ləst How to pronounce evangelist (audio)
: a Christian preacher who goes about from place to place trying to change or increase people's religious feelings
Etymology

Middle English evangelist "one of the writers of the four Gospels," from early French and Latin evangelista (same meaning), from Greek euangelizein "to preach the gospel," from euangelion "good news, gospel," from eu- "good" and angelos "messenger, angel"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!