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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

worship

WUR-shihp
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Worship (noun) means Reverence and devotion shown to a god or sacred figure. Example: “The villagers gathered in the old chapel for evening worship.”

noun
1
Reverence and devotion shown to a god or sacred figure.
"The villagers gathered in the old chapel for evening worship."
"The temple has been a site of worship for over a thousand years."
"Sunday worship is central to the congregation's week."
2
Great admiration or adoration for a person or thing.
"Her worship of the famous chef led her to cook only his recipes."
"Fans' worship of the band meant that every concert sold out quickly."
"His worship of the guitarist bordered on obsession."
verb
1
To honour a deity with religious devotion.
"Many families worship at the local church on Sunday mornings."
"Pilgrims travel for days to worship at the holy shrine."
"They gather every Friday to worship together."
2
To adore or admire someone excessively.
"The little boy seems to worship his big brother and copies everything he does."
"Some people worship wealth and forget what really matters."
"Fans worship the band as if they were gods."

How to use worship

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo show deep reverence or devotion, whether religious or otherwise.

Common pairings
worship a god place of worship freedom of worship
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Word forms

Plural
worships
Third person singular
worships
Past tense
worshipped, worshiped
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The villagers gathered in the old chapel for evening _____.

Etymology

From Old English weorþscipe, literally "worth-ship" — the state of being worthy of honour.

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for worship

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Frequently asked questions

What does “worship” mean?
The word “worship” means reverence and devotion shown to a god or sacred figure. In plain terms, to show deep reverence or devotion, whether religious or otherwise.
How do you pronounce “worship”?
“Worship” is pronounced WUR-shihp (/ˈwɝ.ʃɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “worship” in a sentence?
Here is “worship” used in a sentence: “The temple has been a site of worship for over a thousand years.”
What is another word for “worship”?
Words with a similar meaning to “worship” include praise.
What part of speech is “worship”?
Depending on how it is used, “worship” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “worship” come from?
The word “worship” comes from Old English. From Old English weorþscipe, literally "worth-ship" — the state of being worthy of honour.
Is “worship” a common word?
“Worship” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “worship” have?
“Worship” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: reverence and devotion shown to a god or sacred figure.
What is the difference between "worship" and "praise"?
"Praise" is expressing approval or admiration and can be directed at anyone, while "worship" is deeper reverence and devotion shown to a god or sacred figure. Praise can be part of worship, but worship implies wholehearted devotion rather than a simple compliment.
What is a "place of worship"?
A "place of worship" is a building where people gather to show reverence and devotion to a god or sacred figure, such as a church, mosque, temple, or synagogue. The phrase uses the primary religious sense of worship.
What is the difference between "worship" and "adore"?
To worship is to show reverence and devotion, most often to a deity, whereas to adore means to love or admire greatly and is used more freely for people and things. "Adore" can be casual, as in "I adore this song," while "worship" carries a stronger sense of devotion.

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