What does sainted mean?
Sainted means holy, saintly, or exceptionally virtuous. Its original religious sense refers to someone or something made a saint or revered as holy, especially in a church tradition. In contemporary English, the word is more often encountered in literary, archaic, or humorous contexts. It can describe genuine moral excellence, as in “a sainted mother,” but it can also be used ironically, suggesting that someone is treated as beyond criticism or held in unrealistically high esteem. This dual use gives the word a mildly ceremonial and often tongue-in-cheek quality. Because sainted is less common than saintly or holy, its appearance usually adds emphasis, traditional flavour, or a note of affectionate exaggeration rather than serving as the ordinary word for moral goodness.
Consecrated or regarded as a saint; holy or exceptionally virtuous.
"The old abbey was regarded as a sainted place by the local people."
Often literary or archaic; modern ironic uses may imply that someone is treated as uncritically virtuous.
To make or declare someone a saint; to canonize.
"The congregation sainted the hermit shortly after his death."
Now uncommon and chiefly literary or historical.
A once-religious word survives in English as both a mark of extraordinary virtue and a playful hint that someone cannot see their own faults.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sainted come from?
The adjective and verb forms developed from the English word saint, with the ending -ed indicating either consecration or the completion of an act of canonization. Saint itself came through Old French from Latin sanctus, meaning “holy” or “consecrated.” The religious adjective is therefore older in substance than its modern figurative and ironic uses.
How sainted is actually used
Sainted is relatively uncommon in modern standard English and often sounds literary, archaic, or deliberately ironic. It is not interchangeable with “saint,” which normally names a person formally recognized as holy.
Easily confused with sainted
No distinction applies: this is the headword itself.
No distinction applies: this is the headword itself.