A cult is a fairly small religious group, especially one which is considered strange.
The teenager may have been abducted by a religious cult.
[Also + of]
Synonyms: sect, following, body, faction More Synonyms of cult
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Cult is used to describe things that are very popular or fashionable among a particular group of people.
Since her death, she has become a cult figure.
The film is destined to become a cult classic.
The Osaka-based group is popular home in Japan and has developed a cult followingin the United States.
3. singular noun
Someone or something that is a cult has become very popular or fashionable among a particular group of people.
Ludlam was responsible for making Ridiculous Theatre something of a cult.
The bra has gone from being a fashion classic to a fashion cult.
4. countable noun
The cult of something is a situation in which people regard that thing as very important or special.
[disapproval]
...the cult of youth that recently gripped publishing.
Society is entitled and bound to protect itself against a cult of violence.
Meanwhile, the personality cult around this campaigner grew.
More Synonyms of cult
cult in British English
(kʌlt)
noun
1.
a specific system of religious worship, esp with reference to its rites and deity
2.
a sect devoted to such a system
3.
a quasi-religious organization using devious psychological techniques to gain and control adherents
4. sociology
a group having an exclusive ideology and ritual practices centred on sacred symbols, esp one characterized by lack of organizational structure
5.
intense interest in and devotion to a person, idea, or activity
the cult of personality
6.
the person, idea, etc, arousing such devotion
7.
a.
something regarded as fashionable or significant by a particular group
b.
(as modifier)
a cult show
8. (modifier)
of, relating to, or characteristic of a cult or cults
a cult figure
Derived forms
cultism (ˈcultism)
noun
cultist (ˈcultist)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Latin cultus cultivation, refinement, from colere to till
cult in American English
(kʌlt)
noun
1.
a.
a system of religious worship or ritual
b.
a quasi-religious group, often living in a colony, with a charismatic leader who indoctrinates members with unorthodox or extremist views, practices, or beliefs
2.
a.
devoted attachment to, or extravagant admiration for, a person, principle, or lifestyle, esp. when regarded as a fad
the cult of nudism
b.
the object of such attachment
3.
a group of followers; sect
Derived forms
cultic (ˈcultic)
adjective
cultism (ˈcultˌism)
noun
cultist (ˈcultist)
noun
Word origin
< L cultus, care, cultivation, orig. pp. of colere, to till: see wheel
Synonyms of 'cult'
sect, following, body, faction
craze, fashion, trend, fad
obsession, worship, admiration, devotion
More Synonyms of cult
All related terms of 'cult'
cult film
a film that a certain group of people admire very much
mass cult
something regarded as significant by a minority , but a very large one
cargo cult
a religious movement of the SW Pacific , characterized by expectation of the return of spirits in ships or aircraft carrying goods that will provide for the needs of the followers
cult figure
a person who inspires devotion in a particular group of people
cult movie
a film that a certain group of people admire very much
cult classic
a creation or work that is regarded as definitive or excellent by a small group of people
doomsday cult
A doomsday cult is a religious cult whose members believe that the world is about to end.
cult following
the admiration that is felt by a particular group for a film, book , band , etc
fertility cult
the practice in some settled agricultural communities of performing religious or magical rites to ensure good weather and crops and the perpetuity of the tribe
personality cult
deliberately cultivated adulation of a person, esp a political leader
Supreme Truth Cult
a syncretistic Japanese cult combining elements of Buddhism , Hinduism , and Christianity , founded by Shoko Asahara in 1986; responsible for a number of murders and in particular a nerve-gas attack on the Tokyo underground in 1995
Chinese translation of 'cult'
cult
(kʌlt)
n(c)
(Rel) 异(異)教 (yìjiào)
(= fashion) 时(時)尚 (shíshàng)
cpd
[status]狂热(熱)崇拜的 (kuángrè chóngbài de)
[film]风(風)靡一时(時)的 (fēngmǐ yīshí de)
cult figure崇拜偶像 (chóngbài ǒuxiàng)
Nearby words of
cult
cull
culminate
culprit
cult
cult figure
cultivate
cultivation
Related terms of
cult
cult figure
1 (noun)
Definition
a sect devoted to a specific system of worship
He may have joined a religious cult.
Synonyms
sect
Do you belong to some religious sect?
following
body
faction
A peace agreement will be signed by the leaders of the country's warring factions.
party
opposing political parties
school
the Chicago school of economists
church
the Roman Catholic Church
faith
England shifted officially from a Catholic to a Protestant faith in the 16th century.
religion
denomination
Acceptance of women preachers varies from one denomination to another.
clique
hauhau (New Zealand)
2 (noun)
Definition
a popular fashion
The programme has become something of a cult among thirty-somethings.
Synonyms
craze
a magazine article about the latest fitness craze
fashion
I used to wear bell-bottoms, as was the fashion.
trend
The record may well start a trend.
fad
He does not believe that environmental concern is a passing fad.
3 (noun)
Definition
devoted attachment to a person, idea, or activity
The cult of personality surrounding pop stars leaves me cold.
Synonyms
obsession
worship
The temple had been a centre of worship of the goddess Hathor.
admiration
Her eyes widened with admiration.
devotion
He was kneeling by his bed in an attitude of devotion.
reverence
in mutual support and reverence for the dead
veneration
Churchill was held in veneration in his lifetime.
idolization
Additional synonyms
in the sense of admiration
Her eyes widened with admiration.
Synonyms
regard,
surprise,
wonder,
respect,
delight,
pleasure,
praise,
approval,
recognition,
affection,
esteem,
appreciation,
amazement,
astonishment,
reverence,
deference,
adoration,
veneration,
wonderment,
approbation
in the sense of church
Definition
a particular Christian denomination
the Roman Catholic Church
Synonyms
denomination,
belief,
sect,
persuasion,
creed,
communion,
religious group,
school,
hauhau (New Zealand)
in the sense of denomination
Definition
a group which has slightly different beliefs from other groups within the same faith
Acceptance of women preachers varies from one denomination to another.