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
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.
Cleanliness is, allegedly, next to godliness, a phrase that has been attributed to 18th century evangelist and founder of the Methodist Church John Wesley, but it is thrown around as purposefully as a Bible verse, often being mistaken for one. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025 In her travels with nuclear evangelists, Tuhus-Dubrow hears versions of this argument over and over. Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025 At the time the abuse allegedly began in December 1982, Morris was a traveling evangelist who visited Clemishire and her family in Hominy, Oklahoma, authorities said in a news release. Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2025 Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 29 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for evangelist

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of evangelist was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Evangelist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evangelist. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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"

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