# rite

/ˈɹaɪt/ (US) · /ɹˈaɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rite
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. religious ceremony

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a formal ceremony or act that is part of a religion or a social custom.

For teachers: a formal or ceremonial act or procedure prescribed by religious or social custom.

- 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.

### 2. rite of passage

noun · CEFR B2

an important event that marks a change in someone's life, like becoming an adult.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. informal spelling of right

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a casual way to spell 'right' in text messages or social media.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The wedding was a beautiful and ancient rite.
- In many cultures, the first hunt is considered an essential rite of passage for young adults.
- The anthropologist spent years documenting the complex burial rites of the indigenous tribes, noting how each gesture served to reinforce communal bonds and ancestral respect.

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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.