noun
purgatory
PUR-guht-ree
noun
1
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."
2
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 notesIn 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.