temple
B1Neutral (both formal and informal, depending on context).
Definition
Meaning
A building devoted to the worship of a god or gods in various religions.
The flat area on either side of the forehead; also, a place or subject of great importance or reverence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to a place of worship in non-Abrahamic religions (e.g., Hindu, Buddhist, ancient Greek). In Christianity, 'church' is used, and in Islam, 'mosque'. The anatomical sense is entirely separate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The anatomical sense is equally common. The idiomatic use 'a temple of...' (e.g., commerce, art) is slightly more frequent in UK journalistic prose.
Connotations
In both varieties, evokes antiquity, serenity, and reverence. In US contexts, 'temple' can specifically denote a Jewish synagogue (e.g., 'Temple Emmanuel').
Frequency
Comparably frequent. The religious sense is less common in daily conversation than the anatomical sense.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
They built a temple [to/for the goddess].The temple [of Apollo] is in ruins.A pain shot through his [left] temple.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A temple of doom”
- “A temple to consumerism”
- “His body is a temple (advocating healthy living).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Metaphorical: 'The new flagship store is a temple of luxury.'
Academic
Common in history, archaeology, religious studies, and art history texts.
Everyday
Common for travel/anatomy: 'We visited a temple in Kyoto.' / 'I have a headache in my temples.'
Technical
In anatomy: 'temporal artery'. In architecture: specific parts of a classical temple (e.g., 'cella', 'peristyle').
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The ruins of the Roman temple are a protected site.
- He felt a throbbing pain in his right temple.
American English
- They donated to the construction of a new temple in the community.
- She gently massaged her temples to relieve stress.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The temple is very old.
- My temple hurts.
- We saw a beautiful Buddhist temple in Thailand.
- He pressed his fingers to his temples, trying to think.
- The ancient temple complex attracts thousands of archaeologists and tourists annually.
- The boxer was struck cleanly on the temple and fell to the canvas.
- The new art gallery has been hailed as a secular temple for modernist architecture.
- This debate has become a temple of ideological purity, inaccessible to practical compromise.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'tempo' – a temple is often a place for quiet, measured (temporal) reflection, and it's located in the 'tempo'ral region of your head.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS SIZE/SPLENDOUR ('He made a temple of his garden.'); THE BODY IS A BUILDING ('My body is a temple.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not use 'temple' for a Russian Orthodox church (use 'church' – 'церковь'). 'Temple' in Russian ('храм') is broader and can include churches, so direct translation can cause error. The anatomical 'temple' is 'висок'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'temple' for a Christian church. *'We got married in a beautiful temple.' (Incorrect if it's a church).
- Misspelling as 'tempel' or 'tempple'.
- Confusing 'temple' (building) with 'temporal' (relating to time).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'temple' most appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally no, except in some historical contexts (e.g., Solomon's Temple) or for certain Protestant denominations (e.g., 'The Temple Church' in London). The standard term is 'church'.
A temple is typically a building for collective worship and ritual, often with a dedicated clergy. A shrine is usually a smaller, sacred site dedicated to a specific deity, saint, or event, which can be within a temple or a standalone location.
Very rarely and archaically. In modern English, 'temple' is almost exclusively a noun. The verb 'contemplate' is unrelated.
It derives from Latin 'tempus', meaning both 'time' and 'temple of the head'. The connection is unclear but may relate to the fact that grey hair (a sign of time) often appears first at the temples, or that the pulse can be felt there, marking the passage of time.
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B1 · 48 words · Cultural experiences and traveling the world.