English Reference
noun · verb

worship

n. · v.
US /ˈwɝʃəp/ UK /wˈɜːʃɪp/ wor·ship UK spelling worshipped, worships

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Religion

    n.the act of showing respect and love to a god, especially by praying with others.

    n.the devotion or adoration accorded to a deity or sacred object, often expressed through ritual.

    Simple

    The local church holds a special service of worship every Sunday morning.

    In context

    The temple serves as a central hub for communal worship, drawing pilgrims from across the province for the annual festival.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a feeling of very strong love or admiration for a person.

    n.ardent love or voluntary submission to a person or ideal; secular adoration.

    Simple

    Her worship of the famous singer was clear from the posters covering her walls.

    In context

    The public's hero worship of the young inventor began to fade as the flaws in his business model became apparent.

    adorationidolization
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Slang Music

    n.music that sounds exactly like another artist's work, often in a way that is too obvious.

    n.a piece of music that heavily and unapologetically draws influence from another artist's style.

    Simple

    The band's new album is just pure Radiohead worship without any original ideas.

    In context

    Critics dismissed the debut single as mere Bowie worship, noting that the vocal phrasing and synth textures were identical to his mid-seventies output.

    imitationpastiche
  4. 04 C1 Advanced British EnglishFormal Law

    n.a title used when speaking to a mayor or a judge in the UK.

    n.a title or term of address for certain high-ranking officials, such as magistrates or mayors.

    Simple

    The lawyer addressed the magistrate as 'Your Worship' during the hearing.

    In context

    Protocol dictates that the mayor be addressed as 'Your Worship' during all official civic ceremonies within the borough.

  5. 05 B1 Intermediate Religion

    v.to show respect to a god by praying or following religious customs.

    v.to reverence a deity with supreme respect; to perform religious exercises in honour of a higher power.

    Simple

    Many people in this village worship at the small chapel by the sea.

    In context

    Ancient civilizations in this region used to worship the sun as the primary source of life and fertility.

    revereveneratepray
    desecrate
  6. 06 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to love or admire someone so much that you think they are perfect.

    v.to honour with extravagant love or extreme submission; to idolize a person.

    Simple

    It was obvious to everyone that he absolutely worshipped his older brother.

    In context

    The fans continue to worship the retired athlete, despite the controversies that plagued the final years of his career.

    adoreidolizedeify

A place of worship should never be a crime scene.” The NYPD’s hate crime taskforce is investigating the case.

The Guardian· 15 Aug 2026

Here, the four teen skaters trying to make it big worship her, quite literally, invoking her for strength on and off the ice.

The Guardian· 14 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated