noun

litany

LIH-tuh-nee

Litany (noun) means a set of prayers recited in a call-and-response pattern between a leader and a congregation. Example: “The priest led the congregation through the litany of the saints.”

noun

A set of prayers recited in a call-and-response pattern between a leader and a congregation.

"The priest led the congregation through the litany of the saints."

A long, repetitive list, especially of complaints or problems.

"He greeted us with a litany of complaints about the delayed flight."

How to use litany

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a formal call-and-response prayer, or (more commonly today) a long, tedious list of things — often complaints.

Common pairings

a litany of complaints a litany of excuses recite a litany

Word forms

litanies plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “litany” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The priest led the congregation through the _____ of the saints.

Etymology

From Old French letanie, from Latin litania, ultimately from Greek litē, meaning "prayer" or "entreaty."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for litany

any many zany botany Albany Germany company Tuscany Bethany Tiffany Brittany Epiphany

See all rhymes for litany →

Frequently asked questions

What does “litany” mean?

The word “litany” means a set of prayers recited in a call-and-response pattern between a leader and a congregation. In plain terms, either a formal call-and-response prayer, or (more commonly today) a long, tedious list of things — often complaints.

How do you pronounce “litany”?

“Litany” is pronounced LIH-tuh-nee (/ˈlɪtəni/ in IPA).

How do you use “litany” in a sentence?

Here is “litany” used in a sentence: “The priest led the congregation through the litany of the saints.”

What part of speech is “litany”?

“Litany” is a noun.

Where does the word “litany” come from?

The word “litany” comes from Latin. From Old French letanie, from Latin litania, ultimately from Greek litē, meaning "prayer" or "entreaty.".

How many meanings does “litany” have?

“Litany” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a set of prayers recited in a call-and-response pattern between a leader and a congregation.