What does fellowshiped mean?
Fellowshiped is the past tense and past participle of the rare English verb 'fellowship', which derives from the noun 'fellowship' — meaning friendly association, shared belief, or membership in a community. To be fellowshiped is to have been formally received or admitted into such fellowship, a usage found almost exclusively in religious settings, particularly among Protestant congregations that speak of being 'fellowshiped into' a church. A second, looser sense describes simply having shared company or communion with fellow believers, as in having 'fellowshiped' with friends at a gathering. Outside these contexts the word sounds unusual or archaic, and most writers would prefer phrasing such as 'welcomed into membership'. Its interest lies chiefly in showing how English readily turns nouns into verbs, preserving a small but genuine corner of ecclesiastical vocabulary.
verb (past tense and past participle)Past tense and past participle of the verb 'fellowship', meaning admitted or received into fellowship, companionship, or an association; in religious contexts, especially among some Protestant groups, it means having shared communion or fellowship with others.
- Admitted or received into membership or full communion of a church or religious community.
- Having shared in fellowship or companionship with others (rare, chiefly in informal religious usage).
"She was fellowshiped into the congregation after completing her catechism classes."
"The new converts were fellowshiped into the church at the Sunday service."
"He wrote warmly of having fellowshiped with believers from many nations at the conference."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fellowshiped
The word traces back through 'fellowship', from Middle English 'felaweshipe', formed on 'fellow', which came from Old English 'feolaga', borrowed from Old Norse 'félagi', meaning a partner in property — literally one who lays down fee ('fé', cattle or money) together. The verb 'fellowship' arose by conversion of the noun, and its past form 'fellowshiped' follows regular English inflection. Cognates include Danish 'følgesvend' concepts of companionship within the Scandinavian branch of Germanic languages.
How fellowshiped is actually used
This is a rare and largely dated form. The verb 'fellowship' itself is uncommon outside religious circles, particularly evangelical and Pentecostal communities where 'to fellowship' can mean to worship or socialize together. In formal writing, constructions like 'admitted into fellowship' are preferred.
Easily confused with fellowshiped
'Fellowship' is primarily a noun meaning friendly association or a learned society's membership, while 'fellowshiped' is the rarer verb form describing the act of admitting someone into such fellowship.