religion
gb/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒən/ us/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒən/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Organized beliefs about a god or gods
A group of beliefs and rules about a god or gods, usually shared by many people.
Usage pattern:
[someone] follows/practices/belongs to [a religion]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'religion' (system of beliefs) with 'faith' (personal belief or trust). They are related but not identical.
Synonyms
faith (Often used interchangeably, but can also mean personal trust in a god rather than an organized system.)
Antonyms
atheism (The lack of belief in any gods, opposite of organized religious belief.)
Collocations
practice religion
|freedom of religion
|world religion
|major religion
|religious faith
Themes
culture
|beliefs
|society
|religion
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Christianity is the largest religion in the world.
- Freedom of religion is protected by law in many countries.
- Buddhism is a religion that does not focus on a creator god.
- She converted to a new religion after moving abroad.
- Religion plays an important role in his daily life.
Learner examples
- Christianity is a world religion.
- Many people follow the same religion.
- She studies world religions at school.
- Religion is important to my family.
Noun
B2
state
2
Strong personal belief or devotion
A very strong belief in something that is important to you, even if it is not about a god.
Usage pattern:
[something] is [someone's] religion
Common mistake:
Learners may take this figurative sense literally and confuse it with organized religion.
Synonyms
creed (Formal statement of beliefs, often religious but can be applied more broadly.)
Antonyms
indifference (Lack of strong belief or commitment.)
Collocations
make a religion of [something]
|politics is his religion
Themes
beliefs
|values
|core_vocabulary
|emotions
Examples
- For him, honesty is a religion.
- Some people make a religion out of healthy eating.
- In her family, education is almost a religion.
- He treats football like a religion.
Learner examples
- For her, music is like a religion.
- He treats football as his religion.
- Cooking is his religion.
Grammar
Dictionary form
religion
IPA
GB/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒən/
US/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒən/
Syllables & stress
re - li - gion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (li)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: religion
- Plural: religion, religions
Word family
Forms
religions
noun
Core family
religious
adjective A2
Related words
religiously
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
nonreligious
adjective
irreligious
adjective
Advanced or less common
religiosity
noun
Expressions
freedom of religion
1/fɹˈidəm əv ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒən/
fixed phrase
formal
Right to choose and practice any religion
The legal right to follow any religion or no religion at all.
Examples
- Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution.
- Many countries protect freedom of religion for all citizens.
make a religion of [something]
1/mˈeɪk ə ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒən əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
idiom
informal
Treat an activity with extreme devotion
To do something with so much care and regularity that it is like practicing a religion.
Examples
- He makes a religion of jogging every morning.
- She makes a religion of cleaning her house.
state religion
1/stˈeɪt ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒən/
fixed phrase
Official government-supported religion
The official religion chosen and supported by a country's government.
Examples
- Islam is the state religion in several countries.
- The country has no state religion.