shrine

4 synonyms for shrine, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A place considered sacred and dedicated to a deity, saint, or revered figure.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

memorial

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

sanctuary altar

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

enshrine

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A place considered sacred and dedicated to a deity, saint, or revered figure.

“Pilgrims travel for miles to visit the mountain shrine.”

sanctuary altar memorial

2. verb

To enshrine; to treat with reverence, as if placing in a shrine.

“Her achievements are shrined in the museum's permanent collection.”

enshrine

How to use shrine

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

roadside shrine sacred shrine build a shrine

Etymology

From Old English scrin, from Latin scrinium ("a case for books or papers"), later narrowed to mean a container for sacred relics.

Full origin of shrine →

Frequently asked questions

What does “shrine” mean?

The word “shrine” means a place considered sacred and dedicated to a deity, saint, or revered figure. In plain terms, a sacred place or memorial, or a tribute display honoring someone.

How do you pronounce “shrine”?

“Shrine” is pronounced shryn (/ʃɹaɪ̯n/ in IPA).

How do you use “shrine” in a sentence?

Here is “shrine” used in a sentence: “Pilgrims travel for miles to visit the mountain shrine.”

What part of speech is “shrine”?

Depending on how it is used, “shrine” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “shrine” come from?

The word “shrine” comes from Latin. From Old English scrin, from Latin scrinium ("a case for books or papers"), later narrowed to mean a container for sacred relics.

Is “shrine” a common word?

“Shrine” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “shrine” have?

“Shrine” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a place considered sacred and dedicated to a deity, saint, or revered figure.

What is the difference between a shrine and a temple?

A shrine is a place considered sacred and dedicated to a deity, saint, or revered figure, and it can be small and personal, while a temple is typically a larger, formal building for worship. A shrine can exist inside a temple, in a home, or at a roadside, whereas a temple is usually a dedicated structure.

Can "shrine" refer to something that isn't religious?

Yes, "shrine" can also describe a collection of items honoring someone or something, arranged with reverence, such as a fan's shrine to a celebrity or a memorial shrine for a loved one. This use does not require religious significance.

What does it mean to "shrine" something?

As a verb, to "shrine" something means to enshrine it, treating it with reverence as if it were placed in a shrine. This usage is less common than the noun form but appears in formal or literary writing.

People also searched

memorial altar sanctuary enshrine

Nearby words

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