altar
OL-tuh
Altar (noun) means a raised table or structure used for religious ceremonies, offerings, or worship. Example: “Flowers were arranged on the altar for the harvest festival.”
noun
1
A raised table or structure used for religious ceremonies, offerings, or worship.
"Flowers were arranged on the altar for the harvest festival."
"The couple exchanged vows at the altar."
"Candles were lit on the altar before the service began."
2
Figuratively, anything treated as sacred enough to sacrifice something else for.
"Some parents feel they have sacrificed their free time on the altar of their children's success."
"The company laid its good name on the altar of quick profit."
"He sacrificed his health on the altar of his career."
How to use altar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA table or platform used for religious rites, or figuratively something people give things up for.
Common mistake
Easily confused with "alter" (to change) — they sound identical but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
at the altar
altar boy
sacrifice on the altar of
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Word forms
- Plural
- altars
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Flowers were arranged on the _____ for the harvest festival.
Etymology
From Old English altar and Old French auter, both from Latin altāre — likely linked to a word meaning "burning place," and later shaped by altus, "high."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for altar
See all rhymes for altar →Frequently asked questions
What does “altar” mean?
The word “altar” means a raised table or structure used for religious ceremonies, offerings, or worship. In plain terms, a table or platform used for religious rites, or figuratively something people give things up for.
How do you pronounce “altar”?
“Altar” is pronounced OL-tuh (/ˈɔl.tɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “altar” in a sentence?
Here is “altar” used in a sentence: “The couple exchanged vows at the altar.”
What part of speech is “altar”?
“Altar” is a noun.
Where does the word “altar” come from?
The word “altar” comes from Latin. From Old English altar and Old French auter, both from Latin altāre — likely linked to a word meaning "burning place," and later shaped by altus, "high.".
Is “altar” a common word?
“Altar” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “altar” have?
“Altar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a raised table or structure used for religious ceremonies, offerings, or worship.
What is the difference between "altar" and "alter"?
"Altar" is a noun referring to a raised structure used for religious ceremonies or worship. "Alter" is a verb meaning to change something. They are homophones, pronounced the same way, which makes them a common spelling mistake.
Is "altar" only used in religious contexts?
No. While its core meaning is a structure used for religious ceremonies or worship, "altar" is also used figuratively for anything treated as sacred enough to sacrifice something else for.
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