premillenarian
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ˌpriːˌmɪl.əˈnɛr.i.ən/
KK: /prɪˌmɪl.əˈnɛr.i.ən/
adjective
Definition
Relating to a belief that a significant event will happen before a thousand-year period, often in a religious context.
Example
The premillenarian view holds that Christ will return before the millennium.
Conversation
Have you ever read anything about premillenarian beliefs?
Not really, what are they about?
They focus on the idea of a future golden age before the end of the world.
That sounds interesting! I’d like to learn more about it.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
millenarian
apocalyptic
eschatological
Antonyms
postmillenarian
secular
temporal
noun
Definition
A person who believes that Jesus Christ will return to Earth before a thousand-year reign of peace.
Example
The premillenarian community gathered to discuss their beliefs about the future.
Conversation
Have you ever met a premillenarian before?
No, I haven't. What do they believe in?
They think that we will experience a golden age before Christ's return.
Root Explanation
Premillenarian → It is formed from "pre-" (meaning before) and "millennium" (from Latin "mille" meaning thousand, and "annus" meaning year). The term refers to the belief in the second coming of Christ occurring before a thousand-year reign of peace.
Memory Tip
Think of 'pre-' meaning before and 'millennium' referring to a thousand years — this helps you remember that a premillenarian believes in events happening before a thousand-year period.
Visually Confused Words
millenarian
postmillenarian