noun

tithe

tyth

Tithe (noun) means a payment of one tenth of a person's income given to a church, traditionally as a religious obligation. Example: “Members are encouraged to give a tithe of their earnings each month.”

noun

A payment of one tenth of a person's income given to a church, traditionally as a religious obligation.

"Members are encouraged to give a tithe of their earnings each month."

"He calculates his tithe before tax."

Historically, a tax of one tenth of the annual produce of land or livestock, paid to support the parish church and clergy.

"The tithe barn stored the grain collected from the parish."

verb

To pay a tenth of your income to a church, or to give regularly in this way.

"They have tithed to the same congregation for thirty years."

How to use tithe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGiving a tenth of what you earn to your church.

When to use it

Mainly religious, especially in Christian and particularly evangelical contexts. The historical land-tax sense appears in history writing and in place names such as tithe barn.

Memory tip

A tithe is specifically a tenth; a gift of any other amount is an offering or a donation, not a tithe.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

offering → alms → tribute →

Common pairings

pay a tithe tithe barn tithes and offerings tithe of income

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Members are encouraged to give a _____ of their earnings each month.

Etymology

From Old English teogotha, meaning 'tenth'.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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tenth offering levy give contribute

Related words

take give hold provide tax add ten offer

Rhymes for tithe

blithe writhe

See all rhymes for tithe →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a tithe and an offering?

A tithe is a fixed proportion, traditionally ten per cent of income, understood as an obligation. An offering is anything given beyond that, freely and in any amount. Churches often list them as separate lines on a giving form.

Is tithing ten per cent before or after tax?

There is no universal rule, and practice varies by denomination and individual. Some tithe on gross income and some on take-home pay; churches that teach tithing usually leave the choice to the giver.

How is tithe pronounced?

It rhymes with scythe and writhe: a long i and a voiced th at the end. It does not rhyme with with or myth.

What is the meaning of tithe?

"tithe" (noun) means a payment of one tenth of a person's income given to a church, traditionally as a religious obligation.

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take give hold provide tax add ten offer