Word
litany
US/ˈɫɪtəni/
UK/lˈɪtəni/
Definition
n. a long list of things, often complaints or problems. It can also mean a formal prayer or song used in a religious service.
n. a formal prayer or song used in a religious service; also, a long list of complaints or grievances. Often used in a literary or formal context to describe a repetitive, rhythmic sequence.
Examples
“The politician's speech was a litany of complaints about the economy.”
“The priest led the congregation in a litany of praise before the service began.”
“The report was a litany of systemic failures, detailing every instance where the safety protocols had been ignored over the previous decade.”
Examples
simple
“The politician's speech was a litany of complaints about the economy.”
contextual
“The priest led the congregation in a litany of praise before the service began.”
complex
“The report was a litany of systemic failures, detailing every instance where the safety protocols had been ignored over the previous decade.”
Real-World Examples
“Research, for example, has consistently shown how the news media has contributed to overrepresentation of Black people in crime coverage , which contributes to a litany of negative outcomes and perceptions .” “However, as this jawdropping documentary series shows, Matthew’s litany of disability was a fantasy maintained by Lisa.” Etymology
From Middle English, from Old French letanie, from Latin litania, from Ancient Greek λιτανεία (litaneía, “prayer”), from λιτή (litḗ, “prayer, entreaty”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/litany