ENGLISH
REFERENCE

litany

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˈɫɪtəni// UK //lˈɪtəni// litany

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.


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.

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French letanie, from Latin litania, from Ancient Greek λιτανεία (litaneía, “prayer”), from λιτή (litḗ, “prayer, entreaty”).

© 2026 English Reference