English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
name

Shinto

SHIHN-toh
Quiz me More like this

Shinto (name) means Japan's indigenous religion, centred on the worship of nature spirits and ancestors. Example: “Shinto shrines can be found throughout Japan.”

name
1
Japan's indigenous religion, centred on the worship of nature spirits and ancestors.
"The number of Shinto deities is very great. The Yengishiki enumerates 3,132 officially recognized shrines, and although the same Gods are reckoned more than once, as being worshipped in different places, still their name is legion." — W.G. Aston, Shinto: The Way of the Gods (1905)
"Shinto shrines can be found throughout Japan."
adj
1
Relating to Shinto or its practices.
"They visited a Shinto shrine during their trip."

How to use Shinto

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishJapan's traditional native religion, focused on nature spirits, ancestor worship, and ritual purity.

Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Shinto.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Test yourself on “Shinto” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ shrines can be found throughout Japan.

Etymology

From Japanese 神道 (Shintō), literally "way of the gods," borrowed from Chinese roots meaning "ways of the gods."

Origin: Chinese

Shintoism Shintoist Shintoistic

Rhymes for Shinto

See all rhymes for Shinto →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Shinto” mean?
The word “Shinto” means japan's indigenous religion, centred on the worship of nature spirits and ancestors. In plain terms, japan's traditional native religion, focused on nature spirits, ancestor worship, and ritual purity.
How do you pronounce “Shinto”?
“Shinto” is pronounced SHIHN-toh (/ˈʃɪn.toʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Shinto” in a sentence?
Here is “Shinto” used in a sentence: “Shinto shrines can be found throughout Japan.”
What part of speech is “Shinto”?
Depending on how it is used, “Shinto” can be a name and an adjective.
Where does the word “Shinto” come from?
The word “Shinto” comes from Chinese. From Japanese 神道 (Shintō), literally "way of the gods," borrowed from Chinese roots meaning "ways of the gods.".
How many meanings does “Shinto” have?
“Shinto” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: japan's indigenous religion, centred on the worship of nature spirits and ancestors.

Featured in