Ritual
Definition
Ritual refers to a set sequence of actions or ceremonies, usually performed for a specific purpose or to commemorate an event, often religious or spiritual in nature.
Parts of Speech
- Noun
- Adjective
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈrɪtʃuəl/
- Respelling: RICH-oo-uhl (with "RICH" as in "rich," "oo" as in "food," and "uhl" as in "fulfill")
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈrɪtʃuəl/
- Respelling: RICH-oo-uhl (similar to American English, with "RICH" as in "rich," "oo" as in "food," and "uhl" as in "fulfill")
In both dialects, "ritual" is pronounced with a stress on the first syllable "RICH," followed by "oo" and then a final "uhl" sound, maintaining consistency across American and British English pronunciations.
Etymology
The word "ritual" stems from the Latin word "ritualis," which pertains to rites or religious practices. It entered English in the late 16th century, initially as an adjective before being used as a noun.
Derivatives
- Ritualism
- Ritualistic
- Ritualize
- Ritualized
- Unritualized
Synonyms
- Ceremony
- Rite
- Custom
Antonyms
- Spontaneity
- Improvisation
- Deviation
Usage
The term "ritual" is often used to describe practices or traditions often performed at religious, cultural, or familial gatherings. These practices hold a certain significance or meaning to the individuals participating in them.
Related Terms
- Ceremony
- Tradition
- Ritualistic
- Sacrament
- Liturgy
Detailed Definition
Noun
- Set Sequence of Actions: A series of actions or type of behavior regularly and invariably followed by someone.
- Example: The elaborate tea ceremony is a well-known ritual in Japan.
- Religious or Solemn Ceremony: A religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order.
- Example: Ancient rituals played a significant role in early civilizations’ religious practices.
Adjective
- Pertaining to Ritual: Relating to or done as a religious or solemn rite.
- Example: The ritual significance of the ceremony could be seen in the devout participation of the attendees.
- Being Part of an Established Routine: Being part of a long-established routine or behavior.
- Example: His morning ritual included a brisk walk in the park followed by a hearty breakfast.
ritual
Ancient rituals played a significant role in early civilizations’ religious practices.
The elaborate tea ceremony is a well-known ritual in Japan.
His morning ritual included a brisk walk in the park followed by a hearty breakfast.
🇨🇳 Mandarin (Chinese)
- 礼仪 (lǐyí) - ceremony or etiquette
- IPA Pronunciation: /li˧˥ i˧˥/
- Respelling in English: li-yi
- 仪式 (yíshì) - ceremony or ritual
- IPA Pronunciation: /i˧˥ ʂʐ̩˧˥/
- Respelling in English: yi-shi
🇮🇳 Hindi
- रीति (rīti) - custom or tradition
- IPA Pronunciation: /riːti/
- Respelling in English: ree-ti
- अनुष्ठान (anuṣṭhān) - ceremony
- IPA Pronunciation: /ənʊʂˈtʰaːn/
- Respelling in English: anush-than
🇪🇸 Spanish
- ritual
- IPA Pronunciation: /riˈtʃwal/
- Respelling in English: ree-chwal
- ceremonia
- IPA Pronunciation: /θeɾeˈmonja/ (Spain), /seɾeˈmonja/ (Latin America)
- Respelling in English: the-re-mon-ya (Spain), se-re-mon-ya (Latin America)
🇫🇷 French
- rituel
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʁi.tɥɛl/
- Respelling in English: ree-twel
- cérémonie
- IPA Pronunciation: /se.ʁe.mɔ.ni/
- Respelling in English: say-ray-mo-nee
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- شعيرة (sha'ira) - ceremony or rite
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃaˈʕiːra/
- Respelling in English: sha-eera
- رتيب (ratīb) - routine or ritual
- IPA Pronunciation: /raˈtiːb/
- Respelling in English: ra-teeb
🇧🇩 Bengali
- অনুষ্ঠান (ônuṣṭhān) - ceremony
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɔnuʃˈtʰan/
- Respelling in English: o-nush-than
- রীতি (rīti) - custom or tradition
- IPA Pronunciation: /rit̪i/
- Respelling in English: ree-ti
🇷🇺 Russian
- ритуал (ritual)
- IPA Pronunciation: /rʲɪˈtʊal/
- Respelling in English: ri-tual
- церемония (tseremoniya)
- IPA Pronunciation: /t͡sɪrʲɪˈmonʲɪjə/
- Respelling in English: tsi-re-mo-nya
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- ritual
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʁiˈtu.aɫ/
- Respelling in English: ri-tu-al
- cerimônia
- IPA Pronunciation: /sɨɾiˈmɔniɐ/
- Respelling in English: se-ri-mo-nya
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- ritual
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈritʃwəl/
- Respelling in English: ree-chwul
- upacara
- IPA Pronunciation: /upaˈt͡ʃara/
- Respelling in English: u-pa-chara
🇩🇪 German
- Ritual
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʁiˈtʃuːaːl/
- Respelling in English: ree-chu-al
- Zeremonie
- IPA Pronunciation: /t͡sɛrəˈmoːniː/
- Respelling in English: tse-re-mo-nee
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 儀式 (gishiki) - ceremony or ritual
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɡiɕiki/
- Respelling in English: gee-shee-ki
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- nghi lễ - ceremony or ritual
- IPA Pronunciation: /ŋi˨˩ˀ le˧˧/
- Respelling in English: ngi le
🇰🇷 Korean
- 의식 (uisik) - ceremony or ritual
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɰiːɕik̚/
- Respelling in English: wee-sheek
🇹🇷 Turkish
- ritüel
- IPA Pronunciation: /rityˈel/
- Respelling in English: ri-tyuel
- tören
- IPA Pronunciation: /tøˈɾen/
- Respelling in English: tuh-ren
🇵🇰 Urdu
- رسم (rasm) - custom or tradition
- IPA Pronunciation: /rəsm/
- Respelling in English: rusm
- تقریب (taqrīb) - ceremony
- IPA Pronunciation: /təqˈriːb/
- Respelling in English: taq-reeb
