cult
A small religious group that many people think is strange or dangerous, and that strongly controls its members’ lives.
A relatively small religious group that is seen as socially deviant or extreme, and that often exercises strong control over its members.
Very strong and often uncritical love and praise for someone or something, usually thought to be too much.
Intense and often uncritical admiration or devotion to a particular person, thing, or idea, especially when seen as excessive or unhealthy.
Describes a movie, book, band, etc. that is not very popular with everyone, but has a small group of very loyal fans.
Describes a work, person, or thing that has a relatively small but very dedicated group of fans, often outside the mainstream.
In history or religion, the set of worship practices and rituals for a particular god or holy person.
In religious studies or history, the organized system of worship, rituals, and practices directed toward a particular deity, figure, or sacred object.
- Base: cult
- Plural: cults
cargo cult
1religious movement imitating outsiders
A type of religion where people copy the actions of more modern groups because they believe this will bring them material goods like those groups have.
- Anthropologists often discuss the cargo cults that developed after World War II.
- The term ‘cargo cult’ originally described movements in Melanesia.
- Some writers use ‘cargo cult’ as a metaphor for copying something without understanding it.
cult classic
1beloved work with cult status
A movie, book, etc. that is not very popular with everyone but is loved very strongly by a small group of fans.
- The film was a box‑office failure but later became a cult classic.
- That 1980s comedy is now considered a cult classic.
- Many directors dream of making at least one cult classic in their career.
cult favorite
1special favorite of devoted fans
Something that a small group of people likes very much, even if most people do not know it or like it.
- The restaurant is a cult favorite among food bloggers.
- This small indie game has become a cult favorite.
- The series is a cult favorite on streaming platforms.
cult figure
1person with intense niche fans
A person who is very important and special to a small group of fans, but not very famous to most people.
- The writer is a cult figure in experimental literature.
- Within underground hip‑hop, he became a cult figure.
- She remains a cult figure among horror‑movie fans.
cult film
1film with small devoted fans
A movie that a small group of people love very much, even if it is not popular with most people.
- It started as a low‑budget horror movie and later became a cult film.
- The director is best known for a 1990s cult film.
- Students often watch this cult film at midnight screenings.
cult following
1small but devoted fanbase
A small group of people who love something very much, even if it is not popular with most people.
- The show was canceled after one season but later developed a cult following.
- Over the years, the band has built a loyal cult following.
- The game never went mainstream, yet it enjoys a cult following among retro gamers.
cult hero
1hero to a small fanbase
Someone who is not very famous to most people, but is loved and admired very strongly by a small group of fans.
- The goalkeeper became a cult hero after saving three penalties in one game.
- Among comic‑book fans, the artist is a cult hero.
- She is a cult hero in the local music scene.
cult hit
1modest work with cult success
A movie, show, song, etc. that is not a big success with everyone, but becomes very special to a small group of loyal fans.
- The series was a cult hit on late‑night television.
- Her first album was a cult hit before she became famous.
- The game turned into a cult hit thanks to word of mouth.
cult leader
1head of a cult group
The person who has the most power in a cult and tells the members what to do.
- The cult leader was arrested on fraud charges.
- Survivors described the cult leader as manipulative and controlling.
- The film tells the story of a charismatic cult leader in the 1970s.
cult member
1person who belongs to a cult
Someone who belongs to a cult.
- Former cult members shared their experiences in an interview.
- Neighbors said they often saw cult members handing out flyers.
- The documentary follows several cult members over ten years.
cult movie
1movie loved by niche fans
A movie that is loved strongly by a small group of fans, not by a big general audience.
- He directed several cult movies in the 1980s.
- The festival focuses on horror and sci‑fi cult movies.
- Over the years, the once‑forgotten thriller became a cult movie.
cult of personality
1exaggerated worship of a leader
A situation where a political leader is praised too much and shown as perfect, so people stop thinking critically about them.
- The dictator built a powerful cult of personality through constant propaganda.
- Historians describe the era as being dominated by a cult of personality.
- Critics warn that the leader’s growing cult of personality is dangerous for democracy.
cult status
1state of having cult fans
The state of being loved by a small, very loyal group of fans instead of being popular with many people.
- Over time, the film achieved cult status.
- The album has gained cult status among electronic music fans.
- The novel slowly reached cult status through word of mouth.
cult TV show
1TV series with cult following
A TV show that only some people watch, but those people like it very much and are very loyal fans.
- The cult TV show was saved from cancellation by its passionate fans.
- She starred in a cult TV show that later moved to streaming.
- Many cult TV shows find new life online.
personality cult
1system based on leader worship
A political or social system where one leader is praised all the time and treated like a hero or god.
- Under the regime, a personality cult grew around the president.
- The party denied that it was creating a personality cult.
- Posters and songs about the leader helped build a personality cult.