noun · 6 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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General-American:/ˈvɪkɚ/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɪkə(ɹ)
CMU ARPABET:V IH1 K ER0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
In the Church of England, the priest of a parish, receiving a salary or stipend but not tithes.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Near-synonyms: priest, rector, curate
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: priest, rector, curate
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: cleric, clergymember, clergyman
2
noun
Meaning 2
In the Roman Catholic and some other churches, a cleric acting as local representative of a higher ranking member of the clergy.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: cleric, clergymember, clergyman
3
noun
Meaning 3
A person acting on behalf of, or representing, another person.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Near-synonyms: proxy, representative, agent
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: proxy, representative, agent
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: priest
5
noun
Meaning 5
(Church of England) a clergyman appointed to act as priest of a parish
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: clergyman, reverend, man of the cloth
6
noun
Meaning 6
(Episcopal Church) a clergyman in charge of a chapel
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: clergyman, reverend, man of the cloth
History
Etymology
From Middle English vicar, viker, vikyr, vicaire, vicare, a borrowing from Anglo-Norman vikare, vicare, vikaire, vikere and Old French vicaire (“deputy, second in command”), from Latin vicārius (“vicarious, substitute”). Doublet of vicarious. Displaced native Old English ġespelia.
Across languages
Translations
53 source translations are retained for this English entry.
