Disciple Meaning
/dɪˈsaɪ.pəl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA person who learns from another, especially one who then teaches others.
nounAn active follower or adherent of someone, or some philosophy etc.
Sentence Examples
A disciple can be forgiven if he does not have great mental ability.
But no disciple can be excused if he does not have zeal.
You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
He was a devoted ____ of the famous spiritual teacher.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A ____ can be forgiven if he does not have great mental ability.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English disciple, discipul, from Old English discipul (“disciple, scholar”), from Latin discipulus (“pupil, learner”). Later influenced or superseded in Middle English by Old French deciple.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 9:10:
"By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness, was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect."
— 1921, Ben Travers, chapter 4, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:
"fraile youth is oft to follie led, / Through false allurement of that pleasing baite, / That better were in vertues discipled […]"
— 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto I”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
"Most recently, messengers to the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting passed the resolution On Restoring Moral Clarity through God’s Design for Gender, Marriage, and the Family, which resolves among many beliefs that “we encourage churches to disciple their members in a biblical view of marriage, sexuality, parenting, and the sanctity of life.”"
— 2026 February 18, Diana Chandler, “Church of England abandons pursuit of spiritual blessings for same-sex couples”, in mbcpathway.com:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
He was a devoted ____ of the famous spiritual teacher.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A ____ can be forgiven if he does not have great mental ability.