superstition
B2Neutral. Used in both formal and informal contexts. The tone is often slightly critical or anthropological.
Definition
Meaning
A belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, or trust in magic or chance; a belief that certain actions or objects can influence luck or the future.
Any widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural influences, especially concerning luck, prophecy, or the supernatural causes of natural phenomena. In a more general sense, it can refer to any irrational or overly rigid adherence to a particular ritual or practice, even in non-religious contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word inherently carries a judgment of irrationality. To describe such a belief system from a non-judgmental, insider perspective, terms like 'folk belief' or 'traditional practice' are often used.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
Slight tendency for American English to use it more broadly for any irrational habit (e.g., 'my superstition about always wearing lucky socks'). British English may retain a slightly stronger historical link to folklore.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[superstition] + that-clause (The superstition that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck)[superstition] + about + noun/gerund (superstitions about black cats)[superstition] + surrounding + noun (superstitions surrounding the number 13)[verb] + by + superstition (governed by superstition)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A triumph of hope over experience (sometimes used in a superstitious context)”
- “Tempt fate (related to superstitious avoidance)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'The belief that a certain client is always lucky is just a corporate superstition.'
Academic
Common in anthropology, sociology, history, and religious studies to describe non-institutionalized belief systems.
Everyday
Common for discussing luck, rituals, or folklore: 'It's just a silly superstition, but I still avoid walking under ladders.'
Technical
Not typically used in hard sciences. Used as a defined term in social sciences.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'Superstition' is not used as a verb. Use phrases like 'to believe superstitiously'.
- The verb form does not exist.
American English
- 'Superstition' is not used as a verb. Use 'to be superstitious about'.
- The verb form does not exist.
adverb
British English
- superstitiously (He superstitiously touched wood after mentioning his good health.)
- superstitiously (The path was superstitiously avoided by locals.)
American English
- superstitiously (She superstitiously throws salt over her shoulder.)
- superstitiously (He superstitiously believes the charm works.)
adjective
British English
- superstitious (He's terribly superstitious about Friday the 13th.)
- superstitious (The practice arose from superstitious fears.)
American English
- superstitious (She has a superstitious ritual before every game.)
- superstitious (They avoided the room for superstitious reasons.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Many people think a black cat is bad luck, but that is just a superstition.
- My grandmother has a superstition about opening umbrellas inside the house.
- The old superstition claims that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck.
- Despite being a scientist, he has a strange superstition about lucky numbers.
- Anthropologists study how local superstitions can influence community behaviour and taboos.
- The sailor's superstition about whistling on board a ship stems from a fear of summoning bad weather.
- The regime dismissed the traditional practices of the minority group as mere primitive superstition, failing to grasp their cultural significance.
- Her ostensibly rational decision was, upon closer examination, underpinned by a deep-seated financial superstition inherited from her family.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A SUPER-STITION (like a 'super station') broadcasting irrational beliefs.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPERSTITION IS A SHADOW (something dark, following you, without substance). SUPERSTITION IS A CHAIN (something that binds and restricts rational thought).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'суеверие' – this is a direct cognate and correct. The trap is in the adjective: English 'superstitious' = Russian 'суеверный', not 'суеверский'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'superstision'. Incorrect plural: 'superstitionses'. Using it as a countable noun when it's often uncountable in a general sense (e.g., 'He is full of superstition').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'superstition' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, inherently. It denotes a belief considered irrational or ignorant by the speaker. Neutral alternatives are 'folk belief' or 'traditional practice'.
The distinction is often sociological and subjective. 'Religion' typically implies an organized system with doctrine and institutions, while 'superstition' is used for informal, non-institutionalized beliefs, often by outsiders. The same practice may be called 'religion' by adherents and 'superstition' by critics.
No. The adjective form is 'superstitious'. You cannot say 'a superstition belief'; you must say 'a superstitious belief'.
In American English, it is commonly pronounced /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃ(ə)n/, with a clear 'r' sound in the second syllable ('per'), unlike the British /ˌsuːpəˈstɪʃ(ə)n/ where the 'r' is often not pronounced.