puritan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, historical, and pejorative when used figuratively.
Quick answer
What does “puritan” mean?
A member of a 16th-17th century English Protestant group who sought to simplify and purify religious practice, or (by extension) a person with very strict moral standards.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a 16th-17th century English Protestant group who sought to simplify and purify religious practice, or (by extension) a person with very strict moral standards.
A person who adheres to or advocates for strict moral or religious principles, often to an extreme degree, with an emphasis on austerity, self-discipline, and the avoidance of pleasure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is used similarly in both varieties, with strong historical ties to British history, and later to American colonial history.
Connotations
In both varieties, the historical reference is understood, but the pejorative figurative use (meaning a killjoy or moral extremist) is more common in contemporary language.
Frequency
Frequency is comparable, possibly slightly higher in AmE due to the foundational Puritan narrative in US history.
Grammar
How to Use “puritan” in a Sentence
Puritan of something (e.g., a puritan of style)Puritan about something (e.g., puritan about diet)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “puritan” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The movement sought to puritanise the established church's rituals.
American English
- He tried to puritanize the company's social events, banning all alcohol.
adverb
British English
- He lived puritanly, devoting himself entirely to work and prayer.
American English
- They dressed puritanically, in simple, dark clothing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in critiques of corporate culture: 'The company's puritan approach to office decor eliminates any personal touches.'
Academic
Common in historical, religious, and cultural studies contexts, discussing 16th-17th century Protestant movements or their legacy.
Everyday
Used figuratively and pejoratively to criticise someone seen as overly strict or opposed to fun: 'Don't be such a puritan about a little noise.'
Technical
Specific to historical theology and sociology when referring to the precise religious movement.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “puritan”
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “puritan”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “puritan”
- Using 'puritan' to mean simply 'religious person' without the connotation of extreme strictness and austerity.
- Confusing 'Puritan' (capitalised, historical group) with 'puritan' (lowercase, figurative).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. When capitalised and used in a historical context (e.g., 'the Puritan settlers'), it is a neutral descriptor of a specific group. When lowercase and used figuratively ('she's a puritan'), it is usually pejorative.
Both imply strictness about morality, especially regarding sex. 'Puritan' has a broader scope (covering work, pleasure, austerity in general) and historical weight. 'Prude' is almost exclusively focused on sexual modesty or reticence.
'Puritanical' is the adjective form derived from 'puritan'. It is more commonly used than the adjective 'puritan' to describe attitudes or behaviour reminiscent of Puritans (e.g., 'puritanical laws').
Puritans were a major group among the early English settlers in New England (e.g., Massachusetts Bay Colony). Their values, particularly the 'Puritan work ethic', are often cited as influential in shaping American cultural attitudes toward work, morality, and success.
A member of a 16th-17th century English Protestant group who sought to simplify and purify religious practice, or (by extension) a person with very strict moral standards.
Puritan is usually formal, historical, and pejorative when used figuratively. in register.
Puritan: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpjʊərɪtən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpjʊrɪtən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Puritan work ethic”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PURIfy + TAN (as in tanning/hiding from pleasure) = A Puritan wants to purify life and tan (avoid) pleasure.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORALITY/RELIGIOSITY IS CLEANLINESS (purify, cleanse, austerity). STRICTNESS IS RIGIDITY/INFLEXIBILITY.
Practice
Quiz
In its most common contemporary figurative use, 'puritan' primarily conveys a sense of: