cultus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Academic, Literary, Religious
Quick answer
What does “cultus” mean?
A system of religious worship or ritual, especially as expressed in formal ceremonies.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A system of religious worship or ritual, especially as expressed in formal ceremonies.
An exclusive group of people with a particular religious faith or ideology, often with a devoted following; sometimes used to refer to excessive or faddish admiration for a person, idea, or thing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare in both varieties and used primarily in academic/specialist contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word is archaic or highly specialized. It may be perceived as more formal or erudite than 'cult'.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both regions. More likely to be encountered in historical, religious studies, or anthropological texts than in general usage.
Grammar
How to Use “cultus” in a Sentence
[adj] + cultus + [of + deity/person]the cultus + [verb]to establish/develop/maintain a cultusVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cultus” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable - 'cultus' is a noun only)
American English
- (Not applicable - 'cultus' is a noun only)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable)
American English
- (Not applicable)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable - no direct adjective form. 'Cultic' is related.)
American English
- (Not applicable - no direct adjective form. 'Cultic' is related.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, anthropology, and classical history to describe formal systems of worship (e.g., 'the cultus of the Roman emperors').
Everyday
Extremely rare. The simpler word 'cult' is used for modern contexts.
Technical
Used as a precise term in theology and comparative religion to distinguish a system of ritual practices from beliefs or doctrines.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cultus”
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cultus”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cultus”
- Using 'cultus' to refer to a modern, small, and potentially dangerous religious group (use 'cult' for this).
- Pronouncing it /ˈkʌl.tuːs/ (the final 'us' is /əs/).
- Treating it as a common, everyday word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Cultus' is a formal, academic term, often neutral, for a system of religious ritual. 'Cult' is more common and broader; it can mean the same but often has negative modern connotations of a manipulative or unorthodox group.
No, it is a very low-frequency word used almost exclusively in academic writing about religion, history, or anthropology.
Yes, the standard plural is 'cultuses', though the Latin plural 'cultūs' (pronounced /ˈkʌl.tuːs/) is sometimes used in very scholarly contexts.
Use it as a singular noun, typically preceded by a descriptive adjective (e.g., religious, state, ancestral) and followed by 'of' + the object of worship. Example: 'The state cultus of the pharaoh was crucial to Egyptian society.'
A system of religious worship or ritual, especially as expressed in formal ceremonies.
Cultus is usually formal, academic, literary, religious in register.
Cultus: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌl.təs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌl.təs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CULTUS' as the 'ULTRA-formal CULT' used by scholars.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGION IS AGRICULTURE (from etymology: 'cultus' relates to 'cultivate' – the worship 'cultivates' a relationship with the divine).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'cultus' most appropriately used?