Definition

1. Noun:
   • A boy who assists a priest during religious services, especially in the Roman Catholic Church: An altar boy is a young male who helps with various duties during Mass or other liturgical ceremonies, such as carrying candles, holding the book, or ringing bells.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The priest asked the altar boy to bring the wine and water to the altar.
  • As an altar boy, his duties included lighting the candles before the service.

Advanced Usage

• The term is specific to Christian, particularly Roman Catholic, liturgical tradition. While the role is traditionally for boys, many churches now also have girls serving in similar roles, often referred to more broadly as "altar servers" or "acolytes."
  • The parish now trains both boys and girls to be altar servers, though some older members still refer to them all as altar boys.

Variants and Related Words

• Altar server (n): A more modern and inclusive term for any person, regardless of gender, who assists the priest during services.
  • She became an altar server when she was ten years old.
• Acolyte (n): A more formal or general term for someone who assists in a religious ceremony; it can be used for adults as well.
  • The acolyte processed in with the cross.

Synonyms

• Server: A person who assists during a religious service.
• Acolyte: An attendant or assistant in a religious rite.

Related Phrases

• To serve at the altar: The action performed by an altar boy or server.
  • He learned to serve at the altar when he was very young.

Noun

1. a boy serving as an acolyte