puritanical
gb/pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl/ us/pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl/
C1
English
prűd, puritán
C1
1
Usage pattern:
puritanical about [something]
Some critics called the new rules puritanical, especially the ban on public displays of affection.
Egyes bírálók prűdnek nevezték az új szabályokat, különösen a nyilvános gyengédségnyilvánítás tilalma miatt.
He has puritanical views about alcohol and thinks no one should drink at all.
Puritán nézeteket vall az alkoholfogyasztásról, és úgy gondolja, hogy senkinek sem szabadna egyáltalán innia.
The film was attacked by a puritanical campaign group for its sex scenes.
Learner examples
My parents were puritanical about dating.
A szüleim nagyon prűdek voltak a randizással kapcsolatban.
She dislikes his puritanical attitude.
Nem szereti a prűd hozzáállását.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with “pure”; it usually criticizes strict moral attitudes, not cleanliness or innocence.
Meaning
overly strict about morals
Collocations
puritanical views
|puritanical attitudes
|puritanical morals
|puritanical standards
|puritanical approach
|puritanical culture
|puritanical upbringing
|puritanical laws
|puritanical censorship
|puritanical about sex
Synonyms
prudish (Emphasizes discomfort with sex or nudity.)
|
moralistic (Emphasizes preaching morals and judging others.)
|
straitlaced (Emphasizes strict, conventional behavior.)
Antonyms
permissive (Allowing a wide range of behavior, especially socially or sexually.)
|
liberal (More open-minded and tolerant about personal choices.)
Themes
morality
|relationships
|society
|behavior
Definition
too strict about what is morally acceptable, especially sex
Having very strict moral standards, especially about sex or personal behavior, and often judging other people by them.
C1
FORMAL
2
puritán
B2
Usage pattern:
puritanical [beliefs/customs/society]
The novel depicts life in a puritanical New England community.
A regény egy puritán új-angliai közösség életét ábrázolja.
Her research focuses on puritanical religious practices in seventeenth-century England.
Kutatása a tizenhetedik századi angliai puritán vallási gyakorlatokra összpontosít.
Learner examples
They studied puritanical customs in early America.
A korai amerikai puritán szokásokat tanulmányozták.
Common mistake:
This meaning is historical; in everyday speech, “puritanical” more often means “too strict about morals.”
Meaning
relating to the Puritans
Collocations
puritanical beliefs
|puritanical doctrine
|puritanical practices
|puritanical society
|puritanical New England
|puritanical tradition
Synonyms
Puritan (Directly names the group; may sound more historical than “puritanical.”)
Antonyms
non-Puritan (Not belonging to or associated with Puritan beliefs or culture.)
Themes
history
|religion
|culture
Definition
connected with the Puritans in history
Relating to the Puritans or to Puritan beliefs and practices, especially in 16th–17th century England and early New England.
Grammar
Dictionary form
puritanical
IPA
GB/pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl/
US/pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
pur - it - an - ic - al (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (an)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: puritanical
Word family
Core family
Expressions
a puritanical streak
1/ə pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl stɹˈik/
fixed phrase
tendency toward moral strictness
a strict moral side of someone’s character
Examples
- Even as a comedian, he has a puritanical streak when it comes to drugs.
- There’s a puritanical streak in the public debate about nightlife.
Learner examples
- She has a puritanical streak.
puritanical about [something]
1/pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl əbˈaʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
strict about one topic
too strict about a particular thing
Examples
- She’s puritanical about swearing and won’t allow it at home.
- The school is surprisingly puritanical about clothing for a modern campus.
Learner examples
- He is puritanical about alcohol.
puritanical values
1/pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl vˈæljuz/
fixed phrase
strict moral value system
very strict beliefs about what is moral
Examples
- The show was criticized for promoting puritanical values about sexuality.
- They rejected what they saw as puritanical values and pushed for more openness.
Learner examples
- Some people support puritanical values.