1
: marked by strict conformity or zealous adherence to the forms or beliefs of a church
2
: of or suggestive of a church or church services
Examples of churchy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Toward the end of the show, Puth explained the importance of gospel music to his songwriting—playing some churchy chord changes—and brought out Kirk Franklin.
—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2026
In a marble-floored lobby that smelled of churchy frankincense, a row of staff in Charlie Casely-Hayford suits greeted us like old friends.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
There has always been something slightly churchy about Bon Iver’s music.
—
Mitch Therieau,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
My grandmother [was pretty churchy]; my parents, not so much.
—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2026
This is a shockingly churchy development.
—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
12 Aug. 2025
It’s accompanied mostly by Russell’s banjo picking, but adds churchy overtones.
—
Jon Pareles,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
And soon enough, a much churchier view — Cartesian dualism — emerged.
—
Sigal Samuel,
Vox,
4 June 2024
Sullivan's music carries the churchy emotionality and down-to-earth detail of vintage Southern soul into the everyday situations and electronic soundscapes of hip-hop.
—
Jon Pareles New York Times,
Star Tribune,
14 Jan. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2026
In a marble-floored lobby that smelled of churchy frankincense, a row of staff in Charlie Casely-Hayford suits greeted us like old friends.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
There has always been something slightly churchy about Bon Iver’s music.
—
Mitch Therieau,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
My grandmother [was pretty churchy]; my parents, not so much.
—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2026
This is a shockingly churchy development.
—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
12 Aug. 2025
It’s accompanied mostly by Russell’s banjo picking, but adds churchy overtones.
—
Jon Pareles,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
And soon enough, a much churchier view — Cartesian dualism — emerged.
—
Sigal Samuel,
Vox,
4 June 2024
Sullivan's music carries the churchy emotionality and down-to-earth detail of vintage Southern soul into the everyday situations and electronic soundscapes of hip-hop.
—
Jon Pareles New York Times,
Star Tribune,
14 Jan. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Churchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/churchy. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
