Cult Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of CULT

[count]

1

:

a small religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous

• a satanic cult
• cult members

2

:

a situation in which people admire and care about something or someone very much or too much

• He criticizes the way journalists promote the cult of celebrity in modern America. [=the tendency of people to care too much about famous people]
• a cult of personality = a personality cult

3

:

a small group of very devoted supporters or fans

• a cult of admirers
• She has developed a cult following.

4

formal

:

a system of religious beliefs and rituals

• an ancient fertility cult

Britannica Dictionary definition of CULT

always used before a noun

:

very popular among a group of people

• a cult film/novel
• Her works have achieved cult status.
• The movie is a cult hit/classic/favorite.