What is the Feminine Gender of a Friar? (Friar Opposite Gender)

Friar vs. Nun: A Clear Comparison

This table explains these important religious roles.

What is a Friar?

A friar is a man who belongs to a certain type of Christian religious order. Unlike monks who might live a more secluded life, friars often work actively in the community, teaching, preaching, and helping the poor.

What is a Nun or Sister?

A nun is the feminine equivalent of a friar or monk. A woman in a religious order may be called a nun or a sister. They also dedicate their lives to religious service.

Friars, Monks, and Nuns

It's helpful to know the difference between these roles:

• Monks often live and work within their monastery.
• Friars are also members of a religious community but often work outside their monastery, in the wider world.
• Nuns and Sisters are women who live in a convent and dedicate their lives to prayer and service.