rite
gb/ɹˈaɪt/ us/ɹˈaɪt/
C1
English
~ 9300
vallási szertartás, rítus, beavatási rítus
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
rítus
C1
Usage pattern:
a rite for [occasion]
The priest performed the funeral rites in the small village church.
A pap elvégezte a temetési szertartást a kis falusi templomban.
Each spring, they hold special rites to bless the new planting season.
Minden tavasszal különleges szertartásokat tartanak az új ültetési időszak megáldására.
In many religions, initiation rites mark a person’s formal entry into the faith.
The wedding combined traditional Christian rites with local customs.
Visitors were not allowed to watch the sacred rites inside the temple.
Learner examples
The family gathered at the church for the funeral rites.
A család a temetési szertartásra gyűlt össze a templomban.
Many people take part in religious rites on holidays.
Sokan vesznek részt vallási szertartásokon az ünnepeken.
The priest led the rites in front of the altar.
In this culture, there are special rites when a baby is born.
The old book describes the ancient rites of the tribe.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse the spelling and meaning of "rite" with "right" (correct, or direction) and "write" (to put words on paper). Another mistake is using "rite" when "right" is needed, for example writing *"human rites"* instead of the correct phrase "human rights." Also, some learners use "rite" where the more common word is "ritual"; in everyday speech, "ritual" is usually safer unless you specifically mean a formal religious ceremony.
Meaning
formal religious ceremony or ritual
Collocations
religious rites
|funeral rites
|last rites
|marriage rites
|perform the rites
|ancient rites
Synonyms
ritual (Very close in meaning; often used more generally, while 'rite' is slightly more formal and often religious.)
Antonyms
informality (Relates to behavior or events that are casual and without fixed ceremony, the opposite of structured rites.)
Themes
religion
|culture
|traditions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A formal religious act or ceremony that follows special fixed rules.
A formal religious ceremony or ritual act that is performed according to fixed rules and traditions.
NOUN
C1
2
rítus
C1
Usage pattern:
a rite of [stage/event]
For many teenagers, getting a driver’s license is a modern rite of passage.
Sok tizenéves számára a jogosítvány megszerzése egyfajta modern beavatási rítus.
The small company’s Friday pizza lunch became a kind of office rite.
A kis cégnél a pénteki pizzás ebéd egyfajta irodai rítussá vált.
Graduation is an important rite that marks the end of school life.
In that village, the harvest festival is a yearly rite for the whole community.
The club has a private initiation rite for all new members.
Learner examples
For many people, the first job is a big rite of passage.
Sok ember számára az első munkahely egy fontos beavatási rítus.
Graduation is a rite that shows you are starting a new part of life.
Az iskola befejezése olyan rítus, amely azt jelzi, hogy az életed új szakasza kezdődik.
Joining the army used to be a common rite for young men.
Their family has a small rite before every New Year.
The band has a funny rite before each concert.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "rite" in this sense always means something religious, but it can also describe social or cultural traditions, especially in the phrase "rite of passage." Another mistake is using "ritual of passage" instead of the fixed phrase "rite of passage."
Meaning
traditional ceremony marking a life event
Collocations
rite of passage
|college graduation rites
|coming-of-age rite
|initiation rite
|annual rite
|rituals and rites
Synonyms
ceremony (More general and common; can be less tied to tradition, while "rite" suggests something more fixed or symbolic.)
Antonyms
routine (A routine is a regular, often boring activity; a rite is usually special, symbolic, and formal.)
Themes
culture
|society
|life_stages
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Definition
A special, formal event or action that is part of a tradition and marks an important time in life or in a group.
A formal or traditional ceremony or practice, often not strictly religious, that marks or organizes an important social or life event.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rite
IPA
GB/ɹˈaɪt/
US/ɹˈaɪt/
Syllables & stress
rite (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (rite)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rite
- Plural: rites
Word family
Forms
rites
noun
Core family
ritual
noun B1
Related words
ritually
adverb
ritualize
verb
Advanced or less common
ritualistic
adjective
ritualism
noun
Expressions
last rites
1/lˈæst ɹˈaɪts/
fixed phrase
final religious ceremonies for dying
The final religious prayers and acts done for a person who is dying or has just died, especially in some Christian traditions.
Examples
- The priest was called to give him the last rites.
- Her family made sure she received the last rites according to their faith.
rite of passage
1/ɹˈaɪt əv pˈæsɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
event marking life-stage change
An important event or experience that shows a person is moving from one stage of life to another, or entering a new group.
Examples
- Graduating from high school is seen as a rite of passage in many countries.
- In many cultures, a big wedding is a major rite of passage.
- Learning to drive is often considered a rite of passage for teenagers.
- For some teenagers, getting a first smartphone feels like a rite of passage.
- Military service used to be a common rite of passage for young men in that country.