Cult — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈkəlt/

Meaning & Definition of Cult

Cult (noun)

  1. a group (such as an organization or religious sect) with tenets and practices regarded as coercive, insular, or dangerous —often used before another noun
  2. great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (such as a film or book)
  3. the object of such devotion —often used before another noun

Cult (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a group of people showing intense devotion to a cause, person, or work (as a film)

    "long after it had gone off the air, the TV series continued to have a huge cult"

    similar: audience, followership, following
    related: discipleship, fandom

  2. a body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities

    "an ancient cult that centered on the worship of the earth as the source of all life"

    similar: credo, creed, faith, persuasion, religion
    related: church, communion, denomination, sect, doctrine, dogma, theology, deism, heathenism, monotheism, paganism, pantheism, polytheism, theism
    near: agnosticism, know-nothingism, atheism, godlessness, nonbelief, secularism, unbelief

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cult

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cult:

audience, followership, following, credo, creed, faith, persuasion, religion

Related Words for Cult

discipleship, fandom, church, communion, denomination, sect, doctrine, dogma, theology, deism, heathenism, monotheism, paganism, pantheism, polytheism, theism

Near Antonyms of Cult

agnosticism, know-nothingism, atheism, godlessness, nonbelief, secularism, unbelief

Word Forms of Cult

Derived words: cultic (adjective), cultish (adjective), cultishly (adverb), cultishness (noun), cultism (noun), cultlike (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Cult

French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate wheel

First known use: 1613

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Cult

Words & Phrases Containing Cult

cult of celebrity, cult of personality, anti-cult, cargo cult, personality cult, subcult

Frequently Asked Questions about Cult

What does "Cult" mean?

"Cult" means a group (such as an organization or religious sect) with tenets and practices regarded as coercive, insular, or dangerous —often used before another noun. As a noun, it is defined as: a group (such as an organization or religious sect) with tenets and practices regarded as coercive, insular, or dangerous —often used before another noun. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cult"?

Other words for "Cult" include audience, followership, following, credo, creed, faith, persuasion and religion. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cult" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cult"?

There are 24 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cult". Common alternatives include audience, followership, following, credo, creed, faith, persuasion and religion.

How do you use "Cult" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cult" in a sentence: "long after it had gone off the air, the TV series continued to have a huge cult"; "an ancient cult that centered on the worship of the earth as the source of all life".

Is "Cult" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cult" is a noun.

Is "Cult" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Cult" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Cult"?

"Cult" is pronounced /ˈkəlt/.

What is the origin of the word "Cult"?

"Cult" comes from French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate wheel. First known use: 1613.