English · Word Candidate

Methodist

/ˈmɛθədɪst/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: Methodists

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A member of the Methodist Church; a Wesleyan.

Noun

Examples

The question, which visibly moved Clinton, delves into an area of the candidate’s life that is deeply personal but rarely discussed. Clinton’s friends and confidants describe the former first lady as a devout Methodist whose faith guides much of what she does.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Of or pertaining to the branch of Christianity that descends from the religious societies overseen by John Wesley (1703–1791) among others.

Adjective

Examples

Clinton’s faith is something she developed as a child growing up in Park Ridge, Illinois, attending the suburb’s First Methodist Church.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

One who follows a method.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

One who limits the domain of science to that which can be investigated using the scientific method.

Noun

Examples

The story about Popper's actual epistemological commitments is at odds with the expectations for the father of the natural scientific method, the one revered by those who swear by their datasets as well as reviled as a banal "methodist" in the well-known essay by political theorist Sheldon Wolin:

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “Methodist” mean?

A member of the Methodist Church; a Wesleyan.

Is “Methodist” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.