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# preacher

noun (a preacher, preachers)

«preacher» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A person who gives religious talks (sermons), especially in a church. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preacher/#m1)
2. (informal, negative) A person who keeps telling others how they should behave: «Stop being such a preacher!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preacher/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories and history a travelling preacher speaks to crowds; in everyday life a minister, priest or pastor preaches on Sundays. In talk, «preachy» means lecturing others about right and wrong. Phrases: «a lay preacher», «preaching to the choir/converted» (telling people what they already agree with), «practise what you preach».

### Examples

- The preacher spoke to a crowd in the square. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preacher/#x1)
- Our village preacher tells funny stories. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preacher/#x2)
- The old preacher rode from town to town. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preacher/#x3)
- My big sister is such a preacher about healthy food! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preacher/#x4)
- "Practise what you preach," said Mum. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preacher/#x5)
- The preacher's voice filled the church. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preacher/#x6)
- Many preachers spoke out against slavery. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preacher/#x7)
- It was dreadful to hear all that, for the preacher spoke from his heart, and all the people in the church were terrified. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preacher/#x8)

### Note

Countable: preachers. From «preach». «Preachy» is a mildly negative adjective. Respect different beliefs: preachers come from many religions.

## In Jewish tradition

A preacher is one who speaks out. In Micah it is meant sarcastically: the people want a preacher who promises only wine and drink.

**Interpretation.** It shows that people prefer pleasant lies to hard truths, as prophets often complained.

### Examples

- If a man walking in wind and falsehood do lie: 'I will preach unto thee of wine and of strong drink'; he shall even be the preacher of this people. (Prophets MIC.2.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/preacher/#x1)

### Note

Countable: preachers. From «preach». «Preachy» is a mildly negative adjective. Respect different beliefs: preachers come from many religions.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «preacher» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preacher/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«preacher» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/preacher.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «preacher» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/preacher/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«preacher» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/preacher.html) on Mova free.