Confessional
/kənˈfɛʃənəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsRelating to the act of confessing sins or secrets, or a place where confessions are heard.
/kənˈfɛʃənəl/
Relating to confession or a confessional.
The confessional booth in the church offered privacy for penitents.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're sharing a big secret with a friend, or going to a special booth to tell your priest your mistakes. This word describes things connected to that telling of secrets.
👶 For kids: Something that's about telling your secrets or a place where you tell them.
More Examples
Her autobiography had a confessional tone, revealing her deepest vulnerabilities.
The article contained a confessional account of his struggles.
How It's Used
"The priest sat in the confessional to hear the penitent's sins."
"The journalist published a confessional interview revealing the politician's secrets."
A small, enclosed compartment in a church where a priest hears the confessions of penitents.
/kənˈfɛʃənəl/
A booth or private room in a church where a priest hears confessions.
The penitent entered the confessional to confess their sins.
💡 Simply: It's like a little secret-sharing booth in a church where you can tell your priest your secrets and ask for forgiveness.
👶 For kids: A special box in a church where you can tell a secret to the priest.
More Examples
The sound of the confessional door closing signaled the start of the ritual.
The priest sat in the confessional, ready to listen to the confessions of the faithful.
How It's Used
"She knelt in the confessional to confess her transgressions."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From Late Latin *confessio* ('a confession') + -al (suffix denoting relation). Related to the verb 'confess', from Old French *confesser*, from Latin *confiteri*.
The word 'confessional' has been used since the 16th century to denote places and things related to the sacrament of confession.
Memory tip
Think of a church confessional – a space dedicated to confession.
Word Origin
"To confess (confiteri)"