great synagogue: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, historical, religious, architectural
Quick answer
What does “great synagogue” mean?
A major or principal synagogue, often historically and architecturally significant.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A major or principal synagogue, often historically and architecturally significant.
Refers specifically to notable synagogues in certain cities (e.g., London, Jerusalem, Sydney) that are central to the Jewish community, often serving as a focal point for worship, community events, and Jewish leadership.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major syntactic differences. The term is used in both varieties primarily as a proper name for specific historical buildings.
Connotations
In the UK, it strongly connotes the historic 'Great Synagogue' of London (destroyed in WWII). In the US, it may refer to large, influential synagogues in cities like New York, but is less commonly used as a fixed title.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English due to the historical prominence of 'The Great Synagogue' in London. In the US, terms like 'main synagogue', 'central synagogue', or specific names (e.g., 'Temple Emanu-El') are more common.
Grammar
How to Use “great synagogue” in a Sentence
[Definite Article] + Great Synagogue + of + [Proper Noun (City)][Adjective] + Great SynagogueVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “great synagogue” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The great synagogue building was a landmark.
- They attended a great synagogue service.
American English
- The great synagogue building was a landmark.
- They attended a great synagogue service.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in tourism or heritage conservation contexts.
Academic
Used in historical, architectural, religious studies, and Jewish studies texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing specific landmarks or Jewish community centres in certain cities.
Technical
Used in architectural history to describe a specific style or period of synagogue construction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “great synagogue”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “great synagogue”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great synagogue”
- Using lowercase 'great' when it is part of a proper name (e.g., 'We visited the Great Synagogue').
- Omitting the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific one (e.g., 'He prayed at Great Synagogue' should be '...at the Great Synagogue').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It can be a common noun phrase ('every city had its great synagogue'). It becomes a proper name when referring to a specific, historically named institution (e.g., The Great Synagogue of Rome).
There are several. Historically, the Great Synagogue of London was very significant. Currently, the Great Synagogue of Budapest (Dohány Street Synagogue) is one of the most famous due to its size and architecture.
Rarely. Its primary meaning is 'large and important' or 'principal'. Any connotation of excellence is derived from its historical and communal significance, not a direct evaluation of quality.
Use 'the' when referring to a specific, known great synagogue (e.g., 'the Great Synagogue in our city'). Omit it in general descriptions (e.g., 'A great synagogue often serves as a community centre').
A major or principal synagogue, often historically and architecturally significant.
Great synagogue is usually formal, historical, religious, architectural in register.
Great synagogue: in British English it is pronounced /ɡreɪt ˈsɪnəɡɒɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡreɪt ˈsɪnəɡɑːɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this phrase.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GREAT' as in large and important + 'SYNAGOGUE' as in a Jewish house of worship. It's not just good, it's historically significant.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GREAT SYNAGOGUE IS A PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY (representing stability, history, and central authority).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'Great Synagogue' most likely to be capitalised?