hierolatry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very rare)Formal, academic, historical, theological. Predominantly found in scholarly texts, religious studies, and historical analyses.
Quick answer
What does “hierolatry” mean?
the worship of saints or sacred persons.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the worship of saints or sacred persons; veneration of holy individuals.
Excessive or undue veneration of religious figures, sometimes crossing into idolatry. In broader metaphorical usage, can describe excessive admiration or reverence for authority figures, historical icons, or celebrities in a quasi-religious manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral and descriptive in theological contexts; can carry a mildly critical connotation when used outside theology to imply excessive or misguided devotion.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. More likely encountered in British texts discussing medieval church history, and in American texts on comparative religion or critiques of celebrity culture.
Grammar
How to Use “hierolatry” in a Sentence
[Subject] practises hierolatry (towards [Object])[Object] is the subject/focus of hierolatryVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hierolatry” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Reformation's polemic often targeted the perceived hierolatry of the medieval Church.
- His analysis distinguished between acceptable veneration and outright hierolatry.
American English
- The scholar wrote a paper on hierolatry in early Christian communities.
- Critics dismissed the fan convention as a form of secular hierolatry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, and cultural criticism to describe specific practices or social phenomena.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be used or understood.
Technical
Core usage domain. Used with precision in theology and historiography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hierolatry”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hierolatry”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hierolatry”
- Misspelling as 'herolatry' (which would mean worship of heroes, a related but distinct concept).
- Using it as a synonym for common 'respect' or 'admiration', which dilutes its technical force.
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing the first syllable (HI-erolatry) instead of the third (hi-er-OL-atry).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very close synonyms, often used interchangeably. 'Hagiolatry' (from Greek 'hagios' - saint) is slightly more specific to the worship of saints. 'Hierolatry' (from 'hieros' - sacred) can be broader, encompassing veneration of any sacred person, including living religious figures.
No, it is a very rare, C2-level word. You will almost never encounter it in everyday conversation, news, or general literature. It is a specialist term for academia and theology.
Yes, depending on context. In neutral historical or descriptive theology, it's a technical term. However, when used by critics (e.g., Protestant critics of Catholic practices, or secular critics of fan culture), it carries a negative connotation of excessive, misguided, or superstitious devotion.
In British English: /ˌhʌɪəˈrɒlətri/ (high-uh-ROL-uh-tree). In American English: /ˌhaɪəˈrɑːlətri/ (high-uh-RAH-luh-tree). The primary stress is on the third syllable ('ROL' or 'RAH').
the worship of saints or sacred persons.
Hierolatry is usually formal, academic, historical, theological. predominantly found in scholarly texts, religious studies, and historical analyses. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term itself is too technical for idiomatic use.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Break it down: 'HIERO-' (from Greek 'hieros' meaning sacred or holy, like in 'hierarchy') + '-LATRY' (worship, like in 'idolatry'). So, 'holy-worship'.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEVOTION IS WORSHIP. The metaphorical extension applies this framework to secular contexts, e.g., 'The hierolatry surrounding the founder's portrait was unnerving.'
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical, secular context, 'hierolatry' could most appropriately describe: