Pilgrim
/ˈpɪl.ɡrɪm/noun
A person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.
Did you know?The term 'Pilgrim' originally referred to someone traveling to a holy site, but its roots also imply being an outsider, a wanderer in search of spiritual truth.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
peregrinus
“foreigner, traveler, or stranger.”
6th Century
Old French
pelerin
“a person who travels to holy places.”
14th Century
Middle English
pilgrim
“one who travels to a shrine or sacred place.”
Modern English
English
pilgrim
“a religious traveler or seeker, especially in the context of the Christian faith.”
Explore more surprising origins