# puritan

/ˈpjʊɹətən/ (US) · /pjˈʊɹɪtən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/puritan
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

someone who has very strict moral rules and believes that pleasure is often wrong or dangerous. You might use this to describe a person who thinks others should live more simply or strictly.

For teachers: a person who adheres to a strict moral or religious code, often characterised by the rejection of luxury and physical pleasure. While historically referring to 16th and 17th-century Protestants, the modern sense describes any individual with rigorous, austere standards of conduct.

## Examples

- My uncle is a bit of a puritan when it comes to diet.
- The film's director was accused of being a puritan for refusing to include any scenes of celebration or excess.

## Usage notes

- When referring to the historical religious group, it is typically capitalised; in the general sense of a strict person, it is usually lowercase.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.