nature worship
C2Formal/Academic, occasionally literary
Definition
Meaning
The religious veneration of natural phenomena and forces, such as the sun, moon, trees, or mountains, considering them as divine or inhabited by spirits.
An intense, often reverential, love for or devotion to the natural world, sometimes used figuratively to describe a secular, non-religious deep appreciation of nature that borders on the spiritual.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a technical term in anthropology, religious studies, and history of religions. In modern informal use, it can be hyperbolic, describing an intense passion for nature.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling follows national conventions for 'worship' (single 'p' in both, but worshiped/worshiping vs. worshipped/worshipping).
Connotations
Equally strong academic/anthropological connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general discourse, slightly higher in relevant academic fields.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] practices/engages in nature worship.Nature worship is common among [group].The [religion/culture] involved nature worship of [object].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He practises a form of modern nature worship.”
- “Their hiking trips border on nature worship.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Common in anthropology, religious studies, history. E.g., 'The paper explores shamanic rituals derived from nature worship.'
Everyday
Rare, used hyperbolically. E.g., 'With all her gardening and camping, it's like a kind of nature worship.'
Technical
Specific term in religious anthropology and comparative religion.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The ancient tribe was known to nature-worship, venerating the local river.
- They are accused of nature-worshipping by more orthodox sects.
American English
- Scholars debate whether the community truly nature-worshipped or had a more complex theology.
- He nature-worships every weekend by hiking in the mountains.
adverb
British English
- They behaved nature-worshippingly towards the ancient forest. (Highly marked, rare)
American English
- He gazed nature-worshipingly at the canyon. (Highly marked, rare)
adjective
British English
- The nature-worship practices were documented by Victorian explorers.
- It had a distinct nature-worship element.
American English
- Nature-worship rituals varied from tribe to tribe.
- They followed a nature-worship tradition.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Some old stories talk about nature worship.
- In history, many cultures had forms of nature worship.
- Anthropologists study nature worship as an early form of religious expression in hunter-gatherer societies.
- The syncretic religion retained elements of primordial nature worship, seamlessly integrating the veneration of sacred groves with more recent theological doctrines.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a NATURE documentary where the presenter is WORSHIP(P)ING a majestic tree, treating it like a god.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE IS A DEITY / THE NATURAL WORLD IS A TEMPLE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'поклонение природе' in casual contexts where it's just 'любовь к природе'. The Russian phrase is a very direct calque and carries the same strong religious/anthropological tone.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean simple enjoyment of nature without the connotation of reverence or divinity. Misspelling as 'nature worship'. Using it as a verb phrase (e.g., 'They nature worship') instead of a compound noun.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'nature worship' used most precisely and frequently?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In academic terms, it is a category of religious practice found within many indigenous and historical religions, not typically a single, organized religion itself.
It would be hyperbolic and technically incorrect. Use 'love of nature' or 'passion for the outdoors' for everyday contexts.
They are closely related. Animism is the belief that spirits inhabit natural objects and phenomena. Nature worship is the practice of venerating those objects/phenomena, often stemming from animistic beliefs.
It is a compound noun, typically spelled as two separate words: 'nature worship'. The hyphenated form 'nature-worship' is also acceptable, especially when used attributively (e.g., nature-worship rituals).