cult

noun
UK: /kʌlt/
US: /kʌlt/

  1. A system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.

    1. The local cult has strange rituals.
    2. The ancient cult of the goddess involved sacrifices and offerings to ensure fertility of the land.

  2. A group of people who have extreme religious beliefs and who are not part of an established religion.

    1. That cult is dangerous for children.
    2. Members of the cult isolated themselves from mainstream society and followed their leader unquestioningly.

  3. An activity or interest that is very popular for a short time.

    1. This game became a cult.
    2. The television show achieved cult status due to its quirky characters and unconventional storylines.

  4. A particular system of devotion directed toward a person or object.

    1. There is a cult of personality around him.
    2. The artist developed a cult following among collectors who admired his unique style and vision.

Synonyms

creed belief sect movement obsession vogue craze mania
cult transitive-verb

  1. To give exaggerated devotion to a person, idea, or thing.

    1. They cult their leader.
    2. Some fans cult celebrities to an unhealthy degree, idolizing their every move and possession.
cult adjective

  1. Popular among a relatively small group of devoted followers.

    1. This is a cult movie.
    2. The band has developed a cult following over the years despite never achieving mainstream success.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "cult" in English means: A system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies., A group of people who have extreme religious beliefs and who are not part of an established religion., An activity or interest that is very popular for a short time., A particular system of devotion directed toward a person or object..

The phonetic transcription of "cult" is /kʌlt/ in British English and /kʌlt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "cult": creed, belief, sect, movement, obsession, vogue, craze, mania.

Example usage of "cult": "The local cult has strange rituals.". More examples on the page.