English Reference

Word

religion

Phoneticsre·li·gion

US/ɹiˈɫɪdʒən/

UK/ɹɪlˈɪdʒən/

Definitions

01a system of belief

B1 · Religion

n. a specific system of faith and worship, such as Christianity, Islam, or Buddhism.

n. A particular institutionalised system of religious belief and ritual. Countable in this sense.

“Students at the university come from many different religions and backgrounds.”

“The constitution guarantees the right to practice any religion freely, ensuring that no single faith is given legal preference over others.”

Synonyms

faithcreedbelief system

02faith in general

B1 · Religion

n. the general belief in a god or a spiritual world.

n. The abstract concept of belief in a supernatural or metaphysical reality. Uncountable in this sense.

“For many people, religion provides comfort during difficult times in their lives.”

“Sociologists often study how religion influences the development of moral frameworks within isolated communities.”

03serious devotion

C1

n. an activity or hobby that someone takes very seriously and does regularly.

n. A pursuit, interest, or state of mind to which someone is excessively or consistently devoted. Used metaphorically.

“In this city, football is more than just a game; it is a religion.”

“He treats his morning fitness routine like a religion, never missing a single session regardless of the weather or his travel schedule.”

Informal · Humorous

Etymology

From Middle English religioun, from Old French religion, from Latin religiō (“scrupulousness, pious misgivings, superstition, conscientiousness, sanctity, an object of veneration, cult-observance, reverence”). Most likely from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂leg- with the meanings preserved in Latin dīligere and legere (“to read repeatedly”, “to have something solely in mind”). Displaced Old English ǣfæstnes (“religion, lawfulness”).

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

Word family

religionNounreligiousAdjective

Related words

Domain

Religion

This entry

Level
B1 · Intermediate
Frequency
Common
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference