messiah

/məˈsaɪ.ə/ (bre, ipa) · [məsˈaɪə] /məˈsaɪ.ə/ (ame, ipa) · [məsˈaɪə] /mə-ˈsī-ə/ (ame, mw)

messiah — noun

  • messiahsingular
  • messiahsplural

1. a person whom others trust to rescue a country, group, or society by fixing its

1.名詞C2
釋義

a person whom others trust to rescue a country, group, or society by fixing its biggest troubles.

例句

Some voters treated the new mayor like a messiah after the flood.

like a messiah = expected savior leader

Investors hoped the young CEO would be the messiah of the company.

be the messiah of [group]

同義詞
  • saviour

    stronger and often more emotional or religious than messiah

  • hero

    can describe someone admired for one action, not a leader expected to transform everything

  • miracle worker

    more informal and stresses surprising success

用法筆記

Usually used figuratively for a leader people expect to fix a serious crisis. It often suggests unrealistic hope or pressure rather than calm judgment.

2. for Christians, this title refers to Jesus as God's chosen savior.

2.名詞C2
釋義

for Christians, this title refers to Jesus as God's chosen savior.

例句

At church, Michael heard the pastor call Jesus the promised Messiah.

the Messiah = title for Jesus in Christian belief

The hymn says the Messiah brings hope to people in darkness.

同義詞
  • Christ

    the standard Christian title for Jesus in this sense

  • Savior

    focuses on Jesus's saving role rather than the specific title Messiah

用法筆記

Usually written with a capital M in Christian writing. This sense names Jesus specifically, unlike sense 1, which is figurative, and sense 3, which refers to the expected future ruler in Judaism.

3. in Judaism, the future ruler whom Jews expect God to choose for their people's r

3.名詞C2
釋義

in Judaism, the future ruler whom Jews expect God to choose for their people's rescue and renewal.

例句

The teacher explained that Jews still await the Messiah.

await the Messiah

In the story, the old man prayed for the Messiah to come.

同義詞
  • deliverer

    a broader word for someone who saves others; it is less tied to Jewish belief

  • redeemer

    more literary and often shared across different religious traditions

用法筆記

Usually written with a capital M in religious discussion. Unlike sense 2, this sense refers to the expected future ruler in Judaism, not Jesus.