What does monk mean?
Monk denotes a man who belongs to a religious order, especially a Christian community whose members take vows and follow a shared rule of life. The word commonly evokes monastic institutions, seclusion, prayer, and an austere or contemplative way of living, although it is not a synonym for every religious devotee. A friar is a more specific term associated particularly with mendicant orders, while nun conventionally identifies a female member of a religious order. In sentences, monk may refer to an individual, as in "a Benedictine monk," or collectively to members of an order, as in "the abbey was founded by monks." The word has a long history: English borrowed it through French and Latin from Greek roots associated with being alone. Monkfish is a separate compound whose name refers to a cowl-like marking on the fish rather than to religious orders.
nounA monk is a male member of a religious community organized around a shared rule of life and religious vows. In modern English, the term is used especially for Christian religious orders.
- A male member of a religious order who lives according to religious vows and an organized communal rule of life.
"The abbey library was restored with help from several Benedictine monks."
"The abbey library was restored with help from local Benedictine monks."
"In the novel, the young monk leaves the monastery to search for his missing brother."
The standard plural form is monks.
"The monks maintained the library and copied manuscripts for centuries."
The word grew from Greek monachos, meaning a solitary person, so the idea of being alone lies at the heart of its history.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of monk
The English word comes through Old French and Latin from Latin monachus. Latin monachus came from Greek monachos, meaning a solitary person, ultimately from monos, meaning alone. The same root underlies monastery, monastic, and monasticism, reflecting the historical connection between solitary religious life and organized communities.
Related word forms
How monk is actually used
The term is used especially for Christian male religious communities. A friar more specifically denotes a member of a mendicant order, while nun conventionally identifies a female member of a religious order.
Easily confused with monk
A monk is a member of a religious order, whereas a mink is a small, dark-furred mammal or the fur obtained from it.