wesley

IPA/wˈɛsli/
KK[wˈɛsli]IPA/wˈɛsliː/

wesley — noun

1. Charles Wesley (1707–1788) was an English preacher who wrote thousands of Christ

1.nounB2
Definition

Charles Wesley (1707–1788) was an English preacher who wrote thousands of Christian hymns and, together with his older brother John, helped build the Methodist movement in the 1700s.

Example

Leo listened to a recording of 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,' a Christmas carol written by Charles Wesley.

direct object: carol / hymn written by [person]

The old hymn book contained sixty-four poems that Charles Wesley had written for his congregation.

Common collocations
  • Charles Wesley hymn
  • Charles Wesley carol
  • Wesley brothers

Usage Note

Often referred to by his full name 'Charles Wesley' to avoid confusion with his more famous brother John. His Christmas carols are still sung in churches worldwide.

Common Mistakes

Charles Wesley started the Methodist Church.
Charles Wesley helped build the Methodist movement alongside his brother John.
John Wesley is seen as the primary founder; Charles was his partner and hymn writer.

2. John Wesley (1703–1791) was an English preacher who founded the Methodist Church

2.nounB2
Definition

John Wesley (1703–1791) was an English preacher who founded the Methodist Church, travelling on horseback across Britain to preach in open fields and town squares.

Example

Christopher read about John Wesley's long horseback journeys across eighteenth-century England.

possessive: [person]'s journeys

John Wesley's sermons drew large crowds in mining towns and city squares alike.

Common collocations
  • John Wesley sermon
  • John Wesley's teaching
  • founder of Methodism

Usage Note

John Wesley is widely known as the founder of Methodism. He is the more prominent of the two Wesley brothers in historical accounts.

Common Mistakes

John Wesley wrote all Methodist hymns.
John Wesley preached and organised the Methodist Church, while his brother Charles wrote most of its hymns.
The brothers had different roles in the movement.

Word family

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The surname Wesley comes from an Old English place name meaning 'west meadow' (west 'west' + leah 'clearing, meadow'). The Wesley family was a well-known English clerical family in the 1700s, and the name became widely recognised through the Methodist movement started by John and Charles Wesley.