congregational

IPA/ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃənəl/
KK[kˌɑŋɡrəɡˈeʃənəl]IPA/ˌkɑːŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃənəl/

congregational — adjective

  • congregationalpositive
  • more congregationalcomparative
  • most congregationalsuperlative

1. describing something that is done by, shared among, or belongs to the people who

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describing something that is done by, shared among, or belongs to the people who gather in a church building for worship, rather than only the priest or choir

例句

The new hymn book is meant to encourage stronger congregational singing during Sunday services.

attributive: congregational + activity noun (singing, prayer, response)

Father Selim ended the mass with a congregational prayer for the families of the flood victims.

congregational prayer / response: led by clergy but spoken by the whole gathering

同義詞
  • communal

    wider; any shared group activity, not specifically a worshipping congregation

  • collective

    neutral and general; lacks the church-gathering context

  • parochial

    of a parish as a unit; more about geographical church area than the gathered worshippers

反義詞
  • clerical

    done by or belonging to the priest or ordained clergy, not the gathered members

  • individual

    done by one person alone rather than the gathered group

文法句型

congregational + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used attributively before a noun (singing, prayer, response, life, meeting, council). Subject is usually a shared church activity led from the front but performed by the whole gathered group, contrasted with what the clergy or choir do alone.

常見錯誤

The choir was very congregational tonight.
The choir invited a strong congregational response tonight.
💡congregational describes the activity of the gathered people, not the choir; avoid using it after the verb 'be'.
My singing is congregational.
I enjoy congregational singing at our church.
💡the word modifies the shared activity, not one person's behaviour.