Meaning

(religion) The veneration, devotion, and religious rites given to a deity (especially in a historical polytheistic context), or (in a Christian context) to a saint; a subset of worship..

Definitions by Sense

1. (religion) The veneration, devotion, and religious rites given to a deity (especially in a historical polytheistic context), or (in a Christian context) to a saint; a subset of worship.
2. (informal) A group of people having an obsession with or intense admiration for a particular activity, idea, person or thing.
3. (chiefly derogatory) A group, sect or movement following an unorthodox religious or philosophical system of beliefs, especially one in which members remove and exclude themselves from greater society, including family members not part of the cult, and show extreme devotion to a charismatic leader.
4. Of or relating to a cult.
5. Enjoyed by a small, loyal group.
6. (neologism, music) Alternative form of kvlt.

Example Sentences

imperial cult

the cult of Mary

"When frying sausages," remarked Cripps, who seemed to regard that occupation as a cult, "it is advisable to perforate the outer skin with a fork."

By the end of the tenth century, Edith's humility had inspired a cult of holy wells in Kent, Staffordshire, and Herefordshire.

the heavy metal cult

the cult of basketball

the guitarist's cult of loyal fans

the cult of celebrity

Word Forms

• cults

Synonyms for cult

Related Words

When Should You Use Cult?

Use cult when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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