Phrase guide

papal infallibility

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The concept that the Pope, under certain circumstance (when making a statement on faith or morals, etc.) is protected by the Holy Spirit from being able to make a mistake.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: Catholicism, Christianity, Roman-Catholicism

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

belief of the Roman Catholic Church that God protects the pope from error when he speaks about faith or morality

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: infallibility

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: infaillibilité pontificale — Catholic concept of an infallible Pope
  • German: (päpstliche) Unfehlbarkeit — Catholic concept of an infallible Pope
  • Polish: nieomylność papieża — Catholic concept of an infallible Pope
  • Polish: nieomylność papieska — Catholic concept of an infallible Pope
  • Portuguese: infalibilidade papal — Catholic concept of an infallible Pope