The five-letter word meaning “the superior of a community of monks” is abbot. An abbot is the male head or superior of an abbey or monastery, particularly in traditions shaped by Western Christian monasticism.
The word comes from the Aramaic “abba,” meaning “father,” and entered English through Greek and Latin forms. In a monastery, an abbot traditionally oversees both spiritual life and practical administration. His responsibilities can include guiding the monks, interpreting the community’s rule, managing property, and representing the monastery to the outside world.
An abbot is not simply another name for any monk or priest. The title refers to a leadership office, while “monk” describes a person who follows a monastic way of life. The feminine counterpart is “abbess,” the superior of a community of nuns. Some monasteries use different titles depending on their religious order or structure, but “abbot” is the standard answer for this five-letter vocabulary clue.