English Reference
verb · noun

worshipping

v. · n.
US /ˈwɝʃəpɪŋ/ UK /wˈɜːʃɪpɪŋ/ wor·ship·ping UK spelling worshiping

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

    v.showing deep respect and love for a god through prayer or ceremonies.

    v.participating in religious rites or expressing profound reverence for a deity.

    Simple

    The local people have been worshipping at this temple for hundreds of years.

    In context

    The congregation spent the morning worshipping in the ancient cathedral, following traditions that had remained unchanged for centuries.

    Pitfall
    They are worshipping to a statue. They are worshipping a statue.

    The verb 'worship' is transitive and takes a direct object without the preposition 'to'.

    prayingreveringvenerating
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.loving or admiring someone so much that you think they are perfect.

    v.showing excessive or unquestioning admiration for a person or ideal.

    Simple

    As a teenager, she spent all her time worshipping her favorite pop star.

    In context

    The public began worshipping the young entrepreneur as a visionary, ignoring the growing evidence of his company's financial instability.

    adoringidolizing
    despisingloathing
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal Religion

    n.a specific act or time of showing respect to a god.

    n.a discrete instance or act of religious devotion.

    Simple

    Their daily worshipping included singing and quiet meditation.

    In context

    The anthropologist documented the various worshippings performed by the tribe during the summer solstice.

Under Henry’s youngest daughter, Elizabeth I, Parliament outlawed Catholic Mass, preventing much of Ireland’s population from worshipping as they had for centuries.

Smithsonian Magazine· 1 Jul 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated