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

• venerate
• reverence
• revere

Noun

• worshiping
• adoration
• worshipping
• idolatry
• deification

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

Baseball fans, especially those who worship the New York Yankees, may want to contemplate a move to Florida. —Madeleine Marr july 3, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025

The religious display of the Lady of Guadalupe in lights at the factory, Maria’s prayer table, my own religious statues outside my home, and the plastic Virgin Mary in yards are merely means to the end — worshiping God and thanking him for our existence, salvation and his abundant mercy. —Judy Knotts, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Noun

This should be the subject of discussions in America’s classrooms, book clubs, houses of worship, legislative chambers, service clubs, podcasts, and social media feeds in 2026. —Hans Zeiger, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 July 2025

King said the one caveat for houses of worship is that some spaces could be considered private, such as offices or classrooms, while the sanctuary or lobby could be considered public. —Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 4 July 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)"