monolatry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very Low FrequencyAcademic, Theological, Specialized
Quick answer
What does “monolatry” mean?
The worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods.
A religious system or practice where devotion is directed towards a single deity, while acknowledging that other deities may exist and be worshipped by others. It is distinct from monotheism, which asserts the existence of only one god.
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
Scholarly, historical, precise. Carries no positive or negative emotional charge, but implies an academic context.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage. Almost exclusively found in scholarly texts discussing comparative religion or ancient Near Eastern cultures.
Grammar
How to Use “monolatry” in a Sentence
The [PEOPLE] practised monolatry.Monolatry is evident in the [TEXT/SOURCE].Scholars debate the transition from polytheism to monolatry to monotheism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monolatry” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The scholar's thesis focused on the evidence for monolatry in pre-exilic Israelite religion.
- A key distinction in the field is between monolatry and exclusive monotheism.
American English
- The anthropologist identified practices of monolatry within the tribal culture.
- Monolatry is often a transitional phase in the development of religious systems.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, and anthropology to describe a specific historical religious stance.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
A precise classificatory term for a type of religious belief system.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monolatry”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monolatry”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monolatry”
- Using it interchangeably with 'monotheism'.
- Misspelling as 'monolatory'.
- Assuming it is a common word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very similar and often used interchangeably by scholars. Some make a fine distinction: henotheism may involve temporarily focusing on one god among many for a specific purpose, while monolatry implies a more consistent, institutionalised worship of one god while accepting others' existence.
Many scholars argue that early ancient Israelite religion, as depicted in parts of the Hebrew Bible, exhibited monolatry. Yahweh was worshipped as the national god of Israel, without necessarily denying the existence of the gods of neighbouring nations (e.g., Chemosh of Moab).
It describes a very specific, technical concept in a specialized academic field. There is little need for it in everyday conversation, general writing, or even most religious contexts.
In terms of the number of gods worshipped, the direct opposite is polytheism. In terms of the exclusivity of belief, the opposite is monotheism (which denies other gods) or atheism (which denies all gods).
The worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods.
Monolatry is usually academic, theological, specialized in register.
Monolatry: in British English it is pronounced /məˈnɒlətri/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈnɑːlətri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MONO (one) + LATRY (like in 'idolatry' - worship). It's the worship of one, but not the *only* one.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGIOUS DEVOTION IS A FOCAL POINT (focusing on one among many).
Practice
Quiz
What is the key distinction between monolatry and monotheism?