Churchperson

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person who belongs to a church, often one who takes an active role in its worship or community life
2. Someone affiliated with a Christian congregation, particularly a member who participates in its religious activities
3. An individual associated with a church, such as a parishioner, clergy member or devoted worshipper

Etymology: "Churchperson" is a plain compound, made by joining "church" and "person" into a single word. Its parts keep their ordinary senses: "church" in the sense of the Christian community or institution, and "person" in its usual meaning of a human being. Put together, the word denotes someone who belongs to or is active in a church, in the way that a "layperson" or "salesperson" names a role tied to a particular field. Because both parts are common, English speakers could form the word easily, and it reads transparently to anyone who knows the two elements. Its meaning therefore follows directly from the parts rather than shifting away from them.

Synonyms: churchgoer, clergyman, clergywoman, cleric