Saint
/seɪnt/
Definitions
2 meaningsA person recognized for exceptional holiness or virtue, often after death.
/seɪnt/
A person acknowledged as holy or virtuous and typically regarded as being in heaven after death.
The church honored the saint with a special feast day.
💡 Simply: A saint is someone really, really good and kind, usually someone who has lived a good life and is now in heaven. Like, imagine your grandma who always helped everyone and baked cookies! That's the idea.
👶 For kids: A saint is someone super good and nice who is in heaven!
More Examples
Many people pray to the saint for guidance and help.
The saint's life served as an inspiration to countless followers.
How It's Used
"St. Peter is considered a saint in Catholicism."
"Joan of Arc is a national saint of France."
Relating to a person who is recognized as holy or virtuous.
/seɪnt/
Regarded as holy or virtuous.
The saintly man dedicated his life to helping others.
💡 Simply: If someone is 'saintly,' it's like they are super good and kind, almost like a saint. They are known for being virtuous.
👶 For kids: Saintly means someone is really, really good, like a saint!
More Examples
She possessed a saintly patience when dealing with difficult situations.
His saintly demeanor made him beloved by all who knew him.
How It's Used
"The saints' relics were venerated."
"Her saintly devotion was evident to all."
Idioms & expressions
St. Patrick's Day
A cultural and religious holiday celebrated annually on March 17th, commemorating Saint Patrick and celebrating Irish culture.
"We celebrate St. Patrick's Day every year with a parade and traditional food."
a saint in the making
A person who has the potential to become a saint because of their good deeds and virtuous nature.
"She's a saint in the making with her endless generosity."
From Old French *saint* or *seint*, from Latin *sanctus* ('holy, sacred'), the past participle of *sancire* ('to consecrate').
The word 'saint' has been used for centuries to denote holy or virtuous individuals, particularly within religious contexts. Its presence can be found in medieval chronicles and religious texts, where it often referred to individuals who performed miracles or lived a pious life. The historical usage closely aligns with the religious and theological significance the word carries today.
Memory tip
Think of a person you admire for their goodness and strong beliefs—they might be considered a saint.
Word Origin
"holy, sacred"