Word
ritual
Phoneticsrit·u·al, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹɪtʃuəɫ/
UK/ɹˈɪtʃuːəl/
Definitions
01religious ceremony
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Religion
n. a ceremony or series of actions performed in a fixed order, often as part of a religion.
n. a formal ceremony or series of acts that is always performed in the same way, typically within a religious or traditional framework.
“The priest performed the ancient ritual of blessing the water.”
“Anthropologists spent years documenting the complex burial rituals of the tribe, noting how each gesture carried deep ancestral meaning.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'perform', 'observe', or 'carry out'.
Synonyms
02personal habit
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a series of actions that you always do in the same way because they are important to you.
n. a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, and objects, performed in a sequestered place and performed according to a set sequence.
“My morning ritual involves drinking a cup of tea and reading the news.”
“For many professional athletes, the pre-game ritual is a vital psychological tool for maintaining focus and managing performance anxiety.”
03done as a rite
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. done as part of a ceremony or a fixed pattern of behavior.
adj. relating to or done as a rite; following a prescribed or established ceremonial form.
“The dancers wore ritual masks made of wood and feathers.”
“The investigation revealed that the markings on the stone were likely for ritual purposes rather than practical use.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ritual” in context.
Verb
01. observe a ritual
“Many cultures still observe ancient rituals to honor their ancestors.”
verb + noun
02. perform a ritual
“The high priest performed a ritual to welcome the spring equinox.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. daily ritual
“Her daily ritual included a long walk by the sea before starting work.”
adj + noun
04. elaborate ritual
“The coronation was an elaborate ritual involving hours of music and prayer.”
adj + noun
05. sacred ritual
“The tribe allowed no outsiders to witness their most sacred rituals.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. passage ritual
“Graduation is often seen as a modern rite of passage ritual for young adults.”
noun + noun
07. ritual of purification
“The monks underwent a ritual of purification before entering the temple.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
08. as part of a ritual
“They lit candles as part of a ritual to bring good luck to the household.”
prep + noun + prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Ritual can be a choir in procession in a great cathedral or the simple act of putting down a violin bow.” “His only qualification for the job is that he was born and raised in Hreodwater, a strange community based around a salt mine with its own language, religion and rituals.” “Some see them as sinister or hunt them for ritual use but these birds play a vital role in nature's cycle.” “Ted Lasso tries to lift his team’s curse with a late-night cleansing ritual.” Etymology
From Latin rītuālis (adjective), from rītus (“rite”) + -ālis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
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
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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