worship

1 of 2

verb

wor·​ship ˈwər-shəp 

 also  ˈwȯr-

worshipped also worshiped; worshipping also worshiping

transitive verb

1

: to honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power

2

: to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion

a celebrity worshipped by her fans

intransitive verb

: to perform or take part in worship or an act of worship

worshipper noun

or less commonly worshiper

worship

2 of 2

noun

1

: reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power

also : an act of expressing such reverence

2

: a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual

3

: extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem

worship of the dollar

4

chiefly British : a person of importance

—used as a title for various officials (such as magistrates and some mayors)

Synonyms

Verb

• adore
• deify
• glorify
• revere
• reverence
• venerate

Noun

• adulation
• deification
• hero worship
• idolatry
• idolization
• worshipping
• worshiping

Choose the Right Synonym for worship

revere, reverence, venerate, worship, adore mean to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully.

revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling.

a professor revered by her students

reverence presupposes an intrinsic merit and inviolability in the one honored and a similar depth of feeling in the one honoring.

reverenced the academy's code of honor

venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age.

heroes still venerated

worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony.

worships their memory

adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment.

we adored our doctor

Examples of worship in a Sentence

Verb

Many ancient cultures worshipped the sun and moon.

They worship at this temple.

I worship God in my own way.

Noun

worship of gods and goddesses

Worship services are held daily.

the media's worship of celebrities

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

No one is required to pay any admission fee to worship with us. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025

The painting was found on one of the house's walls, though archaeologists do not believe that the inhabitants worshiped Greek gods. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2025

Noun

Eastern Wyandotte County residents saw their streets, basements, businesses and at least one place of worship flood as storms raged across the Kansas City metro and elsewhere on Monday evening. —Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2025

The council also cited the Idaho Code, which does not allow a company to own a liquor license within 300 feet of any public school, church or place of worship. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English worþschipen, worschepen, worshippen "to hold in honor, esteem, show respect for, revere (a deity), conduct religious rites," derivative of wurðscip, worschip "honor, esteem, religious faith, rank, value" — more at worship entry 2

Noun

Middle English wurðscip, worschip "honor, esteem, renown, veneration, religious faith, a person's social standing, rank, value," going back to Old English weorþscipe, wurþscipe "honor, esteem, veneration, dignity," from weorþ, wyrþ, as noun "value" and as adjective "valuable, having status, deserving" + -scipe -ship — more at worth entry 1, worth entry 3

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing worship

• ancestor worship
• hero worship
• house of God/worship
• house of worship/God
• place/house of worship
• self-worship
• worship at the altar of
• worship the ground someone walks on

Rhymes for worship

• connoisseurship
• entrepreneurship

Kids Definition

worship

1 of 2 noun

wor·​ship ˈwər-shəp 

1

chiefly British : an important person

—used as a title for some officials

2

a

: great respect toward a divine being or supernatural power

b

: the outward showing of such respect

3

: too great admiration or devotion

worship of money

worship

2 of 2 verb

worshipped also worshiped; worshipping also worshiping

1

: to honor or respect as a divine being or supernatural power

2

: to treat with too great respect, honor, or devotion : idolize

worshipped popular singers

3

: to perform or take part in worship

worshipper noun

or worshiper

Etymology

Noun

Middle English worshipe "worthiness, respect, reverence paid to a divine being," from Old English weorthscipe "worthiness, respect," from weorth "worth, worthy" and -scipe "-ship (quality, condition)"