ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cult

n. · adj.
US //ˈkəɫt// UK //kˈʌlt// cult
  1. 1 unorthodox religious group (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

    a religious group with extreme beliefs that are different from most people's, often led by one powerful person.

    a religious or philosophical group characterized by unorthodox beliefs, extreme devotion to a charismatic leader, and isolation from mainstream society.

    Example

    The family was worried when their son joined a mysterious cult and stopped calling them.

    Example

    Sociologists often distinguish between a new religious movement and a cult based on the degree of control the leadership exerts over the members' private lives.
  2. 2 intense admiration (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    a group of people who are very obsessed with a specific person, idea, or activity.

    a group of people exhibiting intense, often obsessive, admiration for a particular person, idea, or fashion.

    Example

    There is a cult of personality around the tech CEO, with fans buying everything he suggests.

    Example

    The author has developed a small cult of followers who dissect every cryptic clue hidden within her experimental novels.
  3. 3 historical religious rites (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Academic Formal Religion

    the system of religious worship and ceremonies used in the past for a specific god.

    a system of religious veneration and ritual directed toward a particular figure or object, especially within a historical polytheistic framework.

    Example

    Archaeologists found evidence of an ancient cult that worshipped the sun.

    Example

    The cult of Mithras was particularly popular among Roman soldiers stationed in the northern provinces during the second century.
  4. 4 niche popularity (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describes something that is very popular with a small, loyal group of people but not with everyone.

    denoting something that has a small but very dedicated and passionate fan base.

    Example

    The 1980s movie was a box office failure, but it became a cult classic years later.

    Example

    Despite poor initial reviews, the game achieved cult status due to its unique mechanics and dark, atmospheric storytelling.
Origin

Derived from French culte, from Latin cultus (“care, adoration; cult”), from colō (“cultivate; protect”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated June 19, 2026