litany

noun

lit·​a·​ny ˈli-tə-nē 

ˈlit-nē

plural litanies

1

: a prayer consisting of a series of invocations and supplications by the leader with alternate responses by the congregation

the Litany of the Saints

2

a

: a resonant or repetitive chant

… a litany of cheering phrases.

—Herman Wouk

b

: a usually lengthy recitation or enumeration

a familiar litany of complaints

c

: a sizable series or set

a litany of problems

The drug has a litany of possible side effects.

Did you know?

A Short History of Litany

How do we love the word litany? Let us count the ways. We love its original 13th century meaning, still in use today, referring to a call-and-response prayer in which a series of lines are spoken alternately by a leader and a congregation. We love how litany has developed in the intervening centuries three figurative senses, and we love each of these as well: first, a sense meaning “repetitive chant”; next, the “lengthy recitation” sense owing to the repetitious—and sometimes interminable—nature of the original litany; and finally, an even broader sense referring to any sizeable series or set. Though litanies of this third sort tend to be unpleasant, we choose today to think of the loveliness found in the idea of “a litany of sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.”

Examples of litany in a Sentence

He has a litany of grievances against his former employer.

The team blamed its losses on a litany of injuries.

Recent Examples on the Web

With Assad on their minds and in their hearts, KP posted its winningest year, overcame a litany of obstacles and clinched the program’s first state final trip. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026

Still, there are moments in this mostly anodyne recap when Liza — who turns 80 on March 12 and has fought a litany of health problems — lets loose. —Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026

Evans said he was impressed by San Francisco's ability to go 12-5 and win a playoff game despite a litany of injuries to players like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Kittle, Pearsall and quarterback Brock Purdy among others. —ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026

Hence, the litany of defensive mistakes and conceding goals in quick succession — Chelsea leaked two late goals to turn a slender PSG advantage into a daunting one, Manchester City were bulldozed by three Federico Valverde goals in 23 minutes and Spurs were 4-0 down after 23 minutes. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English letanie, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin litania, from Late Greek litaneia, from Greek, entreaty, from litanos supplicant

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

litany

noun

lit·​a·​ny ˈlit-ᵊn-ē 

ˈlit-nē

plural litanies

: a prayer consisting of a series of lines spoken alternately by a leader and the congregation