Word
rite
US/ˈɹaɪt/
UK/ɹˈaɪt/
Definitions
01religious ceremony
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Religion Formal
n. a formal ceremony or act that is part of a religion or a social custom.
n. a formal or ceremonial act or procedure prescribed by religious or social custom.
Español:rito
“The priest performed the traditional funeral rites for the family.”
“The anthropologist spent years documenting the initiation rites of the tribe, noting how each gesture reinforced the community's social hierarchy.”
02rite of passage
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. an important event that marks a change in someone's life, like becoming an adult.
n. a ceremony or event marking an important stage in someone's life, especially birth, puberty, marriage, or death.
“For many teenagers, getting a driver's license is a major rite of passage.”
“Graduation is often viewed as a significant rite of passage, symbolizing the transition from the sheltered environment of academia to professional life.”
Synonyms
03informal spelling of right
C1 · Advanced Informal · Slang
adj. a casual way to spell 'right' in text messages or social media.
adj. a non-standard, phonetic spelling of 'right' used in informal digital communication.
“I'll be there in ten minutes, rite?”
“The use of 'rite' in the text message indicated a high level of familiarity between the two speakers, as it deviates from standard orthography.”
Usage
Used as an adjective, adverb, or interjection in place of 'right' in casual contexts.
Pitfall
You must use the rite tools for the job.
You must use the right tools for the job.
Do not use 'rite' in formal writing or when you mean 'correct'; it is only for ceremonies or very casual texting.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Learning to read and write cursive was once a rite of passage for practically every American schoolchild.” “College-bound students have long viewed the exam as a rite of passage.” Etymology
Via Middle English and Old French, from Latin ritus.
Variation of right.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/rite
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0