theolatry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Literary, Academic
Quick answer
What does “theolatry” mean?
The worship of God or gods.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The worship of God or gods; divine worship.
Excessive or idolatrous devotion to a deity; can be used metaphorically to describe an extreme, uncritical reverence for a person, idea, or object, treating it as divine.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of formality and rarity.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects, found primarily in theological, philosophical, or critical literary texts.
Grammar
How to Use “theolatry” in a Sentence
[Subject] practices/engages in theolatry.[Subject] is guilty of theolatry towards [Object].The theolatry of [Object] is evident.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “theolatry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - No standard verb form. Use 'worship' or 'deify'.
American English
- N/A - No standard verb form. Use 'worship' or 'deify'.
adverb
British English
- N/A - No standard adverb form. Use 'worshipfully' or 'idolatrously'.
American English
- N/A - No standard adverb form. Use 'worshipfully' or 'idolatrously'.
adjective
British English
- The theolatric practices of the sect were examined by anthropologists.
American English
- His theolatric devotion to the leader bordered on fanaticism.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theological, religious studies, or critical theory contexts to discuss forms of worship or extreme devotion.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be encountered or used.
Technical
A technical term within specific scholarly discourses.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “theolatry”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “theolatry”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “theolatry”
- Misspelling as 'theologytry' or 'theolatory'.
- Using it in casual speech where 'worship' or 'devotion' would be more appropriate.
- Mispronouncing the 'eo' as in 'theory'; it is 'thee-ol-a-tree'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare, scholarly word. You will almost never hear it in everyday conversation.
Traditionally, 'idolatry' means worship of physical idols or false gods, while 'theolatry' can mean worship of the (true) God. However, in modern critical use, they are often synonymous, both implying excessive or blind worship.
Its core meaning is neutral, but its rarity and learned nature mean it is most often used in analytical or critical contexts, where it frequently carries a negative connotation of excess.
In British English: /θiː-ɒl-ə-tree/. In American English: /θi-ɑːl-ə-tree/. The first syllable rhymes with 'see'.
The worship of God or gods.
Theolatry is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'THEO' (God, as in theology) + 'LATRY' (worship, as in idolatry). It's the worship ('latry') of God ('theo').
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS/PEOPLE ARE GODS (e.g., 'the theolatry of the state' frames the state as a god to be worshipped).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'theolatry' MOST likely to be used?