ENGLISH
REFERENCE

superstitious

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌsupɝˈstɪʃəs// UK //sˌuːpəstˈɪʃəs// su·per·sti·tious Archaic

adj. believing that certain objects or actions can bring good or bad luck. You might avoid the number thirteen or walking under ladders if you are this way.

adj. characterised by a belief in supernatural causality, where specific actions or omens are thought to influence future events. Often used to describe individuals or cultural practices that deviate from scientific or rational explanations.


SIMPLE

He is very superstitious and never walks under ladders.

CONTEXTUAL

Many professional athletes are famously superstitious, often wearing the same pair of socks for every game to ensure a win.

COMPLEX

The sailors remained deeply superstitious, interpreting the sudden appearance of the albatross as a divine omen that would determine the success of their long voyage across the Atlantic.

Origin

From Old French superstitieux, from Latin superstitiōsus, from superstitio + -ōsus.

Usage

Often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'become', or 'remain'.

Pitfall

He has a superstitious of black catsHe is superstitious about black catsLearners sometimes confuse the adjective 'superstitious' with the noun 'superstition'.

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