Definition

A house that is provided by a church for its minister or pastor to live in.

Example

The new pastor moved into the parsonage next to the church.

Conversation

Have you ever visited the parsonage near the church?

No, I haven't! What's it like?

It's a charming little house with a lovely garden.

That sounds nice! I should check it out sometime.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Parsonage is formed from "parson" (from Old French *persone*, meaning person or priest) and "-age" (a suffix indicating a place or condition). The word refers to the residence or house associated with a parson or priest.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'parson' as a priest and '-age' indicating a place — so a parsonage is the place where a priest lives.

Visually Confused Words