Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Free from provincial prejudices or attachments; broad in sympathies, tastes, or interests: Describes a person, attitude, or set of interests that is universal, wide-ranging, and not limited or narrow.
   • Of or relating to or supporting Catholicism: Pertaining to the beliefs, practices, or institutions of the Roman Catholic Church.

2. Noun:

   • A member of a Catholic church: A person who is a believer in and adherent of Catholicism, typically the Roman Catholic Church.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (broad in sympathies/tastes):
  • She has a catholic taste in music, enjoying everything from classical to hip-hop.
  • His catholic interests made him a fascinating conversationalist.
• Adjective (relating to Catholicism):
  • They follow Catholic doctrine.
  • The Catholic school is located downtown.
• Noun:
  • He is a devout Catholic.
  • Many Catholics attend mass every Sunday.

Advanced Usage

• With a lowercase 'c' (catholic): When used with a lowercase 'c', the word typically refers to the adjective meaning "broad, universal, or all-embracing." This usage is formal.
  • The professor's knowledge was impressively catholic.
• With an uppercase 'C' (Catholic): When capitalized, it almost always refers specifically to the Roman Catholic Church, its members, or its doctrines.
  • Catholic teachings on social justice are well-known.

Variants and Related Words

• Catholicism (n): The faith, practice, and system of the Catholic Church, especially the Roman Catholic Church.
  • She studied the history of Catholicism.
• Catholicity (n): The quality of being catholic (broad or universal); also, adherence to the Catholic faith.
  • The catholicity of his literary appreciation was remarkable.

Synonyms

• Adjective (broad): Eclectic, wide-ranging, broad-minded, universal, comprehensive.
• Adjective (religious): Roman Catholic, papal.
• Noun: Roman Catholic, communicant.

Related Phrases

• catholic church: When not capitalized, can refer conceptually to a universal Christian church. When capitalized (Catholic Church), it refers specifically to the Roman Catholic Church.
  • He was received into the Catholic Church.
• catholic spirit: An attitude of broad sympathy and inclusivity.
  • We need a more catholic spirit in our approach to different cultures.

Notes on Meaning

• The core duality of this word lies in its case sensitivity. The lowercase form (catholic) is a general adjective meaning "comprehensive" or "liberal." The uppercase form (Catholic) is a proper adjective and noun referring specifically to the Christian denomination centered in Rome. The context usually makes the intended meaning clear.

Adjective

1. free from provincial prejudices or attachments
   • catholic in one's tastes
2. of or relating to or supporting Catholicism
   • the Catholic Church

Noun

1. a member of a Catholic church