gospel

[ gos-puh l ]
/ ˈgɒs pəl /

noun

adjective

Origin of gospel

before 950; Middle English go(d)spell, Old English gōdspell (see good, spell2); translation of Greek euangélion good news; see evangel1

OTHER WORDS FROM gospel

non·gos·pel, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for gospels (1 of 2)

gospel
/ (ˈɡɒspəl) /

noun

Also called: gospel truth an unquestionable truth to take someone's word as gospel
a doctrine maintained to be of great importance
Black religious music originating in the churches of the Southern states of the United States
the message or doctrine of a religious teacher
  1. the story of Christ's life and teachings as narrated in the Gospels
  2. the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ
  3. (as modifier)the gospel story

Word Origin for gospel

Old English gōdspell, from gōd good + spell message; see spell ²; compare Old Norse guthspjall, Old High German guotspell

British Dictionary definitions for gospels (2 of 2)

Gospel
/ (ˈɡɒspəl) /

noun

any of the first four books of the New Testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
a reading from one of these in a religious service

Cultural definitions for gospels (1 of 2)

Gospels

The first four books of the New Testament, which tell the life story of Jesus and explain the significance of his message. Gospel means “good news” — in this case, the news of the salvation (see also salvation) made possible by the death and Resurrection of Jesus. The four Gospels are attributed to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

notes for Gospels

Figuratively, anything that is emphatically true is called the “gospel truth.”

Cultural definitions for gospels (2 of 2)

gospel

The “good news” of salvation (see also salvation) (see Gospels). Certain styles of religious music are also called “gospel.” (See spirituals (see also spirituals).)