What does evangelical mean?
Evangelical functions primarily as an adjective describing a major Protestant Christian tradition that stresses personal conversion, the supreme authority of the Bible, and the obligation to share one's faith. It also serves as a noun for members of that tradition, as in 'evangelicals make up a significant share of American churchgoers.' Beyond religion, the word describes anyone who promotes a cause with intense, almost missionary zeal — an 'evangelical commitment to clean energy,' for instance — though this extended use is often lightly ironic. The term derives from the Greek euangelion, meaning 'good news,' which also gives us gospel and evangelist. Because evangelical is prominent in discussions of religion, politics, and culture, understanding its precise sense matters: it names a distinct theological tradition rather than any generic religious fervor, though its figurative use trades on that fervor.
Relating to a Protestant movement emphasizing salvation by faith in Christ, the authority of Scripture, and the need for personal conversion and evangelism.
"The evangelical revival of the eighteenth century reshaped religious life on both sides of the Atlantic."
Also used figuratively and often ironically for zealous advocacy of any cause.
A member or adherent of an evangelical church or movement.
"Evangelicals represent one of the largest religious groupings in the United States."
Usually plural in this sense; singular forms are less common.
Used only in the noun sense referring to adherents of evangelical Christianity.
"Evangelicals have been influential in American public life for decades."
The word 'gospel' itself comes from Old English 'gōdspell' — a literal translation of Greek 'euangelion', meaning simply 'good news'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of evangelical
Evangelical comes from the ecclesiastical Latin evangelicus, from Greek euangelikos, derived from euangelion meaning 'good news' or 'gospel'. The Greek combines eu- ('good') with angelma ('message'), related to angelos ('messenger'). The word entered English in the early modern period, first used of the gospels themselves and later, from the 18th century, of the Protestant revival movements emphasizing conversion. Cognates include the German evangelisch, still used today to mean 'Protestant', and English words such as evangelist, evangelism, and evangelize.
Related word forms
How evangelical is actually used
When applied to religion, 'evangelical' is a neutral descriptive term for a specific Protestant tradition and should not be assumed to carry political connotations, though in American media it often does. In secular use ('an evangelical atheist'), the word is frequently mildly ironic. Capitalization varies: some writers capitalize it when referring strictly to the religious movement.
Easily confused with evangelical
An evangelist is a person who preaches or spreads the gospel (or zealously promotes an idea), while evangelical describes the tradition, beliefs, or style associated with such preaching.
Evangelistic specifically relates to the activity of preaching the gospel to convert others, whereas evangelical more broadly denotes a theological tradition or zealous advocacy of any cause.