cult

noun

ˈkəlt 

1

: a group (as an organization or religious sect) with tenets and practices regarded as coercive, insular, or dangerous

… cults use indoctrination methods that "program" beliefs through hypnosis, repetition, and behavior modification techniques …

—Steven A. Hassan

People alive in the 1980s and 1990s might remember the public fear that satanic cults were abusing and sacrificing children.

—H. Colleen Sinclair

… their beliefs and behavior become increasingly unusual, leading outside observers to describe the group as a cult.

—Steven Monacelli

—often used before another noun

a cult leader

2

a

: great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (such as a film or book)

They criticized how the media promotes the cult of celebrity.

Debating ideas will get us farther than covering the cult of personality.

—Johanna Maska, quoted in Time

b

: the object of such devotion

Like many professional athletes, he became a cult of sorts …

—Roger Barbee

—often used before another noun

a cult classic

As perfume skyrocketed, certain fragrances assumed cult status …

—Jacqueline Kilikita

c

: a group of people characterized by such devotion

the singer's cult of fans

a cult of admirers

—often used before another noun

Specializing in artisanal popsicles, this colorful spot has since built a cult following.

—Michelle Matthews

3

: a system of religious beliefs and rituals

also : its body of adherents

the cult of Dionysus

an ancient fertility cult

In ancient Egypt, temples dedicated to specific religious cults or gods functioned as lucrative businesses.

—Kate McMahon

4

: formal religious veneration : worship

5

: a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator

health cults

cultic

ˈkəl-tik 

adjective

cultish

ˈkəl-tish 

adjective

The four-part series is expected to explore both of their lives and the cultish nature of their followings.

—Phaedra Haywood

cultishly

ˈkəl-tish-lē 

adverb

cultishness

ˈkəl-tish-nəs 

noun

cultism

ˈkəl-ˌti-zəm 

noun

cultlike

ˈkəlt-ˌlīk 

adjective

Did you know?

The Overlap of Cults and Culture

Cult, which shares an origin with culture and cultivate, comes from the Latin cultus, a noun with meanings ranging from "tilling, cultivation" to "training or education" to "adoration." In English, cult has evolved a number of meanings following a fairly logical path. The earliest known uses of the word, recorded in the 17th century, broadly denoted "worship." From here cult came to refer to a specific branch of a religion or the rites and practices of that branch, as in "the cult of Dionysus." By the early 18th century, cult could refer to a non-religious admiration or devotion, such as to a person, idea, or fad ("the cult of success"). Finally, by the 19th century, the word came to be used of "a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious."

Synonyms of cult

• audience

Examples of cult in a Sentence

She has developed a cult following.

long after it had gone off the air, the TV series continued to have a huge cult

Recent Examples on the Web

There are iconic pieces from Noguchi and Herman Miller on sale (including the cult-favorite office chairs) as well as modern classics like the Sarah Ellison Muse Sofa and all things Muuto and HAY. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 30 Nov. 2025

Start with its cult-favorite bra and some festive pajamas, then dive into the rest of its (vast, underrated) collection. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 30 Nov. 2025

Shop all the cult-favorite styles, from the New York Midi to the Hudson, at 20% off with code BF20. —Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2025

White went on to appear in multiple Tyler Perry films, including I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2009) and Good Deeds (2012), as well as cult horror hit The Cabin in the Woods (2011). —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate — more at wheel

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing cult

• anti-cult
• cargo cult
• cult of celebrity
• cult of personality
• personality cult
• sub-cult

Rhymes for cult

• adult
• consult
• exult
• insult
• iseult
• occult
• result
• catapult
• subadult

Kids Definition

cult

noun

ˈkəlt 

1

: a system of religious worship

2

a

: enthusiastic but often temporary devotion to a person, idea, or thing

b

: the object of such devotion

c

: a group of persons who belong to or show devotion to a cult

cultist

ˈkəl-təst 

noun

Medical Definition

cult

abbreviation

culture