noun Uncommon

purgatory

PUR-guht-ree

Purgatory (noun) means In Catholic belief, a temporary state after death in which souls are purified before entering Heaven. Example: “The priest spoke about the souls said to be suffering in purgatory.”

noun

In Catholic belief, a temporary state after death in which souls are purified before entering Heaven.

"The priest spoke about the souls said to be suffering in purgatory."

Any situation of temporary suffering, waiting, or discomfort.

"The layover turned into a five-hour purgatory at the airport."

How to use purgatory

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA place or period of waiting and suffering before relief — literally in Catholic doctrine, or figuratively in everyday speech.

Common pairings

stuck in purgatory a kind of purgatory

Word forms

more purgatory comparative, most purgatory superlative

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

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The priest spoke about the souls said to be suffering in _____.

Etymology

From Latin purgātōrium ("place of cleansing"), related to purge.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for purgatory

Cory Tory gory dory Rory ivory glory story Amory Emory theory memory

See all rhymes for purgatory →

Frequently asked questions

What does “purgatory” mean?

The word “purgatory” means in Catholic belief, a temporary state after death in which souls are purified before entering Heaven. In plain terms, a place or period of waiting and suffering before relief — literally in Catholic doctrine, or figuratively in everyday speech.

How do you pronounce “purgatory”?

“Purgatory” is pronounced PUR-guht-ree (/ˈpɝɡəˌtɔɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “purgatory” in a sentence?

Here is “purgatory” used in a sentence: “The priest spoke about the souls said to be suffering in purgatory.”

What part of speech is “purgatory”?

“Purgatory” is a noun.

Where does the word “purgatory” come from?

The word “purgatory” comes from Latin. From Latin purgātōrium ("place of cleansing"), related to purge.

Is “purgatory” a common word?

“Purgatory” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “purgatory” have?

“Purgatory” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in Catholic belief, a temporary state after death in which souls are purified before entering Heaven.