tithe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, historical, religious, literary. Rare in casual everyday conversation.
Quick answer
What does “tithe” mean?
A tenth part of something, especially one's income or agricultural produce, historically given as a tax or offering to support the church or religious institution.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tenth part of something, especially one's income or agricultural produce, historically given as a tax or offering to support the church or religious institution.
Any tax, levy, or small portion of something (often one-tenth) given or taken. It can also refer to the act of giving or paying such a portion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both varieties use it primarily in historical/religious contexts. The institution of 'tithe barns' and 'tithe maps' is more frequently referenced in UK history due to the Church of England's historical role.
Connotations
In both, it carries connotations of historical obligation, religious duty, and sometimes resented taxation. In the US, it is more strongly associated with modern voluntary church donations in some Protestant denominations.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to historical and place-name references (e.g., Tithe Barn, Tithe Road). In American English, it is most common in religious fundraising contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “tithe” in a Sentence
NOUN: pay/give/collect a titheVERB: to tithe (something) to (someone/institution)MODIFIER + NOUN: church/parish titheVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tithe” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The parishioners were expected to tithe a portion of their grain to the vicar.
- He tithes faithfully to his local church every month.
American English
- Many families in the congregation commit to tithing 10% of their income.
- The ancient law required farmers to tithe their best livestock.
adverb
British English
- None standard.
American English
- None standard.
adjective
British English
- The medieval tithe barn still stands on the edge of the village.
- She studies tithe records for genealogical research.
American English
- They held the community meeting in the old tithe barn.
- The dispute was over tithe lands outlined in the 18th-century map.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused, except in historical financial analysis.
Academic
Used in history, theology, agricultural economics, and medieval studies.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used by religious individuals discussing church donations.
Technical
Used in historical land law, ecclesiastical law, and archive/document studies.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tithe”
- Mispronouncing as /tɪθ/ (like 'with') instead of /taɪð/. Using it to mean any small donation, losing the specific 'tenth' connotation. Using it as a common synonym for 'tax'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically and etymologically, yes, it means a tenth. In modern religious practice, it often refers to a voluntary donation of about 10% of one's income. Figuratively, it can mean any small, significant portion, though the connection to 'one-tenth' is usually implied.
No, in most Western countries, the legal requirement to pay tithes to a state church has been abolished (e.g., in the UK with the Tithe Commutation Act 1836). Today, tithing is a voluntary religious practice.
Yes. 'To tithe' means to give or pay a tithe. Example: 'They tithe a portion of their salary each month.'
A tithe barn was a large barn built in medieval Europe to store the tithes—the one-tenth of agricultural produce given to the church. They are often substantial stone or timber-framed buildings.
A tenth part of something, especially one's income or agricultural produce, historically given as a tax or offering to support the church or religious institution.
Tithe is usually formal, historical, religious, literary. rare in casual everyday conversation. in register.
Tithe: in British English it is pronounced /taɪð/, and in American English it is pronounced /taɪð/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific; the word itself is used figuratively in phrases like 'a tithe of the effort'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "TIE-th" – Imagine tying up one-TENTH of your harvest to give to the church.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBLIGATION/FAIR SHARE IS A MEASURED PORTION (one-tenth). SACRIFICE/SUPPORT IS GIVING A FRACTION.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the word 'tithe' MOST accurately used?