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
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
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more purgatory
- Superlative
- most purgatory
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.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for purgatory
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.
