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Saint

n. kind, resilient formal

What it means

Meaning 1

A person formally recognized within a religious tradition for exceptional holiness.

Reach for it when referring accurately to a recognized holy figure or religious title

The chapel preserves a letter attributed to the local saint.

Meaning 2

Someone regarded with affectionate exaggeration as extraordinarily patient or kind.

Reach for it when warmly thanking a person whose goodness carried others through difficulty

Rosa was a saint throughout the chaotic week of the move.

Words to choose between 7

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
playful
warm
professional
formal
literary

Meaning 1: A person formally recognized within a religious tradition for exceptional holiness.

  • professional

    exemplar

    Fits when conduct offers a model others can follow

    Careful An exemplar need not possess religious holiness.

  • formal

    blessed

    Fits when a tradition uses that specific rank or devotional title

    Careful Blessed and saint can mark different stages or categories in a formal process.

  • formal

    holy person

    Fits when spiritual character matters without claiming formal recognition

    Careful The phrase does not confirm the title or status attached to a saint.

Meaning 2: Someone regarded with affectionate exaggeration as extraordinarily patient or kind.

  • playful

    lifesaver

    Fits when timely practical help produced strong relief

    Careful A lifesaver solves an urgent problem but need not show sustained goodness.

  • warm

    angel

    Fits when kindness deserves affectionate figurative praise

    Careful Angel is more fanciful and may praise sweetness rather than patient service.

  • warm

    good Samaritan

    Fits when aid was freely given to a stranger in need

    Careful This phrase fits a particular helpful act, not someone's whole character.

  • literary

    paragon

    Fits when near-perfect virtue is the deliberate claim

    Careful Paragon sounds lofty and lacks the intimacy of calling a helper a saint.

Opposites 4

  • sinner
  • reprobate
  • brute
  • tormentor

Common phrases 4

  • patron saint

    The guild chose a patron saint associated with careful craft.

  • canonized saint

    A canonized saint may be honored on a dedicated feast day.

  • absolute saint

    Jon was an absolute saint when the delayed guests finally arrived.

  • saint for helping

    She was a saint for helping us sort the damaged books.

Usage notes

Keep in mind

The figurative sense is deliberate overstatement and can burden a kind person with expectations of endless patience.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated