confessional
|con-fes-sion-al|
/kənˈfɛʃənəl/
relating to confession (place or admission / revealing personal confession)
Etymology
'confessional' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'confessio' (from 'confiteri'), where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'fateri' meant 'to admit, to confess'.
'confessional' changed from Medieval Latin/French terms such as 'confessionale' / Old French 'confessionel' and entered Middle English forms before becoming the modern English word 'confessional'.
Initially it meant 'pertaining to confession or a place for confessing', but over time it also came to mean 'characterized by candid personal disclosure' (as in confessional writing or television).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small enclosed booth or room in a church where a priest hears confessions.
He knelt in the confessional and whispered his sins.
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Noun 2
a private on-camera segment (often in reality TV) where a participant speaks candidly about thoughts or feelings; a personal-remarks segment.
The show's confessional moments often drive the drama.
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Adjective 1
relating to or involving confession (for example, admitting wrongdoing or guilt).
The witness gave a confessional statement to the police.
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Adjective 2
describing art, writing, or speech that reveals intimate personal feelings or experiences (e.g., confessional poetry).
Her confessional poetry touched many readers.
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Last updated: 2025/09/02 23:25