What is minister? Pronunciation and usage in English

minister means . Learn how to pronounce and use minister through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of minister

ministernoun

/ˈmɪnɪstə/
Definition & pronunciation of minister

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "minister." It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation (American English):

  • min-ISTRY
    • min – Sounds like the word "min" as in "minute." Short and sharp.
    • ISTRY – This is the key! It rhymes with "history" or "mystery." Think of it as a single syllable.

The Correct Pronunciation (British English):

  • min-STER
    • min - Same as in American English (like "min" as in "minute")
    • STER - Sounds like the word "star."

Here's a helpful way to break it down:

  1. Think of the "ister" part: That’s where most people stumble. It's not "in-ster." It's a single syllable.

  2. Rhyme with "history" or "mystery": That’s the best way to internalize the sound.

Resources to listen:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, would you tell me:

  • Which accent are you most interested in learning? (American, British, Australian, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word minister in English

Let's break down how to use the word "minister." It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Religious Figure (Most Common Usage)

  • Definition: This is the most frequent use of "minister." It refers to a person who serves a religious community, particularly a priest, pastor, rabbi, imam, or other ordained leader.
  • Examples:
    • "The minister delivered a powerful sermon on Sunday."
    • "She became a minister of the church after graduating from seminary."
    • "The minister visited the sick and offered comfort to those in need."
  • Key characteristics: Ministers are responsible for spiritual guidance, worship, and pastoral care within a faith community.

2. As a Government Official (Cabinet Member)

  • Definition: In many countries (especially the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), "minister" refers to a member of a government's cabinet – a high-ranking official responsible for a specific department or portfolio (e.g., Minister of Education, Minister of Finance).
  • Examples:
    • "The Minister for Health announced new funding for hospitals."
    • "The Prime Minister appointed a new minister to lead the economic recovery."
    • "The ministers debated the proposed legislation in parliament."
  • Note: In the US, the term “secretary” is used for these roles (Secretary of Education, Secretary of the Treasury).

3. As a General Word for Service or Assistance

  • Definition: More broadly, "minister" can mean to serve or assist someone. It's less common now than it used to be, but still finds its way into writing. It suggests sincere and dedicated service.
  • Examples:
    • "He ministered to the needs of the homeless shelter." (Meaning he provided assistance and support.)
    • “The company ministered its expertise to help the startup grow.” (Meaning they offered their skills and knowledge.)
    • "She always tried to minister kindness and compassion to those around her."

4. (Less Common – Archaic Usage)

  • Definition: Historically, "minister" also meant "to attend to" or "to consult." This usage is now very rare.

Here’s a table summarizing the different meanings:

Meaning Definition Example
Religious A clergy member, spiritual leader “The minister preached a hopeful message.”
Government Cabinet member, government official “The Minister of Defense spoke today.”
General Service To serve or assist “He ministered to the injured.”
(Archaic) To attend to, consult (Rare – historical usage)

Tips for Using "Minister" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: Pay close attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Be Aware of Regional Differences: The meaning as a government official is primarily used in certain Commonwealth countries.
  • Consider Alternatives: If you're unsure, "official," "member," or “person in charge” can work as substitutes when referring to a government role. For general service, “help,” “assist,” or “serve” are usually clearer.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you thinking of using the word "minister"? (e.g., writing a story, discussing politics, talking about religion, etc.)

Synonyms for the word minister

Practice with vocabulary minister

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The newly appointed ______ of Health is responsible for overseeing public healthcare initiatives.
  2. In many denominations, the ______ delivers sermons and provides pastoral care to their congregation.
  3. Before the international summit, a senior ______ from the State Department reviewed all the briefing materials.
  4. The company sent a special ______ to the annual conference to represent its interests and forge new partnerships.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following titles typically denotes a senior member of government leading a specific portfolio or department? a) ambassador b) minister c) administrator d) counsel

  2. Which of the following actions best describes the role of a religious leader providing spiritual support or aid to a community? a) officiate b) govern c) minister d) preside

  3. The Prime Minister appointed a new individual to oversee the country's financial policy. This person is now referred to as the: a) chairperson b) governor c) minister d) chancellor

  4. Which of these roles is primarily focused on representing a country's interests in a foreign nation? a) official b) representative c) diplomat d) envoy

  5. A person tasked with the daily management and supervision of an organization's operational activities is typically called a/an: a) executive b) consultant c) coordinator d) supervisor

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government official in charge of foreign affairs held a press conference today. Rewrite using "minister" or a related word form:

  2. Our organization actively works to provide assistance and care to underprivileged families in the region. Rewrite using "minister" or a related word form:

  3. The special representative from the United Nations presented a report on global security to the assembly. Rewrite, replacing "representative" with a suitable alternative (do not use "minister"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The newly appointed Minister of Health is responsible for overseeing public healthcare initiatives.
  2. In many denominations, the minister delivers sermons and provides pastoral care to their congregation.
  3. Before the international summit, a senior official from the State Department reviewed all the briefing materials.
  4. The company sent a special delegate to the annual conference to represent its interests and forge new partnerships.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) minister
  2. c) minister
  3. c) minister, d) chancellor
  4. c) diplomat, d) envoy
  5. a) executive, d) supervisor

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The Minister of Foreign Affairs held a press conference today.
  2. Our organization actively ministers to underprivileged families in the region.
  3. The special envoy from the United Nations presented a report on global security to the assembly.

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