religious
gb/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs/ us/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs/
A2
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Connected with religion or faith
About religion, faith, or the worship of a god or gods.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is religious
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'religious' with 'spiritual'; 'religious' usually refers to organized systems of belief and practice, while 'spiritual' can be more personal and not tied to a specific religion.
Synonyms
faith-based (Emphasizes that something is founded on religious belief rather than secular principles.)
Antonyms
secular (Describes things not connected to religion or spiritual matters.)
Collocations
religious beliefs
|religious practices
|religious group
|religious holiday
|religious leader
Themes
beliefs
|culture
|society
|religion
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The country has many religious festivals throughout the year.
- She studied the influence of religious leaders in politics.
- Religious education is part of the school curriculum.
- The temple is an important religious site for locals.
Learner examples
- My family has many religious traditions.
- He goes to a religious school.
- We visited a religious building on our trip.
- That book is about religious history.
adjective
A2
property
2
Faithful in religious practice
Believing strongly in a religion and following it in daily life.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is religious
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'religious' instead of 'faithful' when talking about loyalty to people or causes; 'religious' should be used only for religion-related devotion.
Synonyms
devout (Often used for someone deeply committed to their faith, especially in a respectful tone.)
Antonyms
irreligious (Describes someone who lacks interest in or rejects religion.)
Collocations
deeply religious
|very religious
|religious person
Themes
beliefs
|personality
|religion
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her grandmother is very religious and attends church every Sunday.
- He became more religious after his trip to India.
- They are raising their children in a religious household.
Learner examples
- My uncle is very religious.
- She is a religious woman.
- He became religious after he got married.
Noun
B2
entity
3
Member of a religious order
A man or woman who lives according to special rules of a religious group, often in a monastery or convent.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this noun with the adjective; as a noun, 'religious' is much less common and mostly used in formal or Catholic contexts.
Synonyms
monastic (Refers specifically to monks or nuns living under religious vows.)
Antonyms
layperson (Someone who is not a member of the clergy or a religious order.)
Collocations
a Catholic religious
|Buddhist religious
Themes
beliefs
|society
|religion
Examples
- The ceremony was attended by several religious from different communities.
- As a young man, he spoke with a religious about joining the order.
- The convent housed twenty religious, mostly nuns.
Learner examples
- He talked with a religious about life in the monastery.
- The church has many religious working there.
- Some religious live in the monastery.
Grammar
Dictionary form
religious
IPA
GB/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs/
US/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs/
Syllables & stress
re - li - gious (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (li)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: religious
Noun
- Base: religious
- Plural: religious
Word family
Expressions
deeply religious
1/dˈipli ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs/
fixed phrase
Very committed to religion
Believing strongly in a religion and following it closely.
Examples
- Her parents are deeply religious and go to church twice a week.
- He grew up in a deeply religious household.
religious belief
1/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs bɪlˈif/
fixed phrase
Belief related to religion
An idea or opinion that is part of a religion.
Examples
- His political views are shaped by his religious beliefs.
- Different cultures have different religious beliefs.
religious ceremony
1/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs sˈɛɹɪmˌoʊni/
fixed phrase
Formal event for worship or rites
A special event with set actions that is part of a religion, like a wedding or funeral in church.
Examples
- They attended a religious ceremony at the temple.
- The wedding was both a civil and a religious ceremony.
religious freedom
1/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs fɹˈidəm/
fixed phrase
Freedom to follow any religion
The right to choose and follow any religion, or no religion, without control from the government.
Examples
- The constitution guarantees religious freedom for all citizens.
- Religious freedom is protected by law in many countries.
religious leader
1/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs lˈidɚ/
fixed phrase
Leader in a religion
A person who guides or teaches people in their religion, like a priest, imam, or rabbi.
Examples
- Religious leaders met to discuss peace efforts.
- The community looks to its religious leaders for guidance.