noun
Common
cult
kuhlt
Cult (noun) means a group organized around an unconventional set of religious or philosophical beliefs, often isolating members from outside society under a controlling leader. Example: “He joined a cult that told him to stop speaking to his friends.”
noun
1
A group organized around an unconventional set of religious or philosophical beliefs, often isolating members from outside society under a controlling leader.
"He joined a cult that told him to stop speaking to his friends."
"The leader of the cult demanded total obedience from every follower."
"Former members described how the cult cut them off from their families."
2
A strong following of devoted fans built around a particular person, idea, or work.
"The band never had a hit, but it built a loyal cult following online."
"My uncle collects posters for an obscure cult television series from the eighties."
"The film flopped in theaters but later gained a cult following."
How to use cult
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a controlling, isolating belief group, or a smaller but intensely devoted fan base.
Common pairings
cult following
cult leader
cult classic
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Word forms
- Plural
- cults
Fill the gap
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He joined a _____ that told him to stop speaking to his friends.
Etymology
From French culte, from Latin cultus ("care, worship"), from colere ("to cultivate, tend").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “cult” mean?
The word “cult” means a group organized around an unconventional set of religious or philosophical beliefs, often isolating members from outside society under a controlling leader. In plain terms, either a controlling, isolating belief group, or a smaller but intensely devoted fan base.
How do you pronounce “cult”?
“Cult” is pronounced kuhlt (/kʌlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cult” in a sentence?
Here is “cult” used in a sentence: “Former members described how the cult cut them off from their families.”
What part of speech is “cult”?
“Cult” is a noun.
Where does the word “cult” come from?
The word “cult” comes from Latin. From French culte, from Latin cultus ("care, worship"), from colere ("to cultivate, tend").
Is “cult” a common word?
“Cult” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cult” have?
“Cult” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group organized around an unconventional set of religious or philosophical beliefs, often isolating members from outside society under a controlling leader.
What is the difference between a cult and a religion?
A religion is an established system of faith and worship that is broadly accepted, while a cult is typically organized around an unconventional set of beliefs and often isolates its members from outside society under a controlling leader. The word cult also carries a strongly negative judgement, whereas religion is a neutral term. In practice the line is disputed, and the label often reflects how controlling or isolating a group is rather than its specific beliefs.
What is the difference between a cult and a sect?
A sect is a group that has broken away from a larger, established religion but usually keeps most of its parent faith's core beliefs. A cult is organized around an unconventional belief system of its own, often with a controlling leader and pressure to cut members off from wider society. Sect is the milder term; cult implies manipulation and potential harm.
Is it offensive to call a group a cult?
Calling a group a cult is a serious accusation, because the word implies a controlling leader, unconventional beliefs, and the isolation of members from outside society. Members of such groups almost never describe themselves this way. Academic writers often prefer neutral phrases such as "new religious movement" to avoid the built-in negative judgement.
