What does coadjutor mean?
Coadjutor refers to a person who assists another in the exercise of an office or duty, most commonly a bishop appointed to help a diocesan bishop in governing a diocese, usually with the right to succeed him. The term derives from Latin roots meaning 'to aid together' and entered English in the sixteenth century. While it can broadly denote any assistant or helper in an official capacity, its modern usage is overwhelmingly ecclesiastical: in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, a coadjutor bishop is a distinct canonical office designed to ensure continuity of leadership when an incumbent is aged or infirm. Outside religious contexts the word strikes most readers as formal or archaic, and ordinary terms such as assistant, aide, or deputy are used instead. Its precise technical meaning within church law makes it valuable vocabulary for readers of ecclesiastical news and church history.
nounA person appointed to assist a bishop or other dignitary in their duties; more generally, an assistant or helper, especially one holding an official or subordinate position.
- A bishop appointed to assist a diocesan bishop, with the right of succession.
- An assistant or helper in an official capacity; a subordinate colleague.
"The aging bishop was granted a coadjutor to share the burdens of administering the diocese."
"Rome appointed a coadjutor to assist the infirm archbishop and eventually succeed him."
"As coadjutor in the editorial office, she handled correspondence while the editor managed the magazine's direction."
Regular plural formation; used both for multiple assistants in secular contexts and for multiple coadjutor bishops.
"Over the centuries, several distinguished clerics served as coadjutors before ascending to the see."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of coadjutor
Coadjutor comes from the Latin 'coadiutor', meaning 'a helper', formed from 'co-' (together) and 'adjuvare' (to aid or help), itself from 'iuvare' (to help). The word entered English in the sixteenth century, initially denoting an assistant or helper in general before becoming especially associated with the episcopal office. It shares its Latin root with 'adjutant' and 'aid'.
How coadjutor is actually used
The word is formal and now largely confined to ecclesiastical contexts (especially Roman Catholic and Anglican churches), where a 'coadjutor bishop' is a specific canonical office. In general secular use it sounds somewhat archaic or literary; 'assistant' or 'aide' would be preferred in ordinary speech.
Easily confused with coadjutor
Coadjacent refers to things lying adjacent together, whereas coadjutor refers to a person who assists another, especially in an official capacity.