WordGarden.ioliturgical
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /lɪtˈɜːdʒɪkəl/
US
- /ləˈtɜrdʒɪkəl/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to formal public worship or liturgy
Beyond the definition
The word "liturgical" describes things connected to the established form of public worship in a church: prayers, readings, songs, and ceremonies that follow a set order. It is not just any religious practice; it refers to the formal, shared way a faith community expresses its beliefs in worship. You will often hear it used when discussing Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, or Orthodox Christian services, where following an ordered pattern matters a great deal. A liturgical calendar marks important dates and seasons in the church year, such as Advent or Lent. You can think of it as the "script" for how a service unfolds, shaped by tradition over time.
"Liturgical" comes from the Greek word leitourgia, originally meaning "public work" or "service done on behalf of the people." Over time, this evolved to specifically refer to the public worship services of the Christian church. Today, it describes anything relating to these established forms of worship and the traditions surrounding them.
It's more than just being religious; it's about adhering to a specific structure and order in how that faith is expressed publicly. A liturgical service isn't spontaneous—it follows a carefully crafted sequence of prayers, scripture readings, hymns, and rituals. These elements are often rooted in centuries-old traditions and designed to connect worshippers with the sacred.
You'll most commonly encounter "liturgical" when discussing traditions such as Catholicism, Anglicanism (Episcopalianism), Lutheranism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. These churches place a high value on liturgical practices as a way of maintaining continuity with their historical roots and fostering a sense of reverence.
However, the term can also extend beyond specific services. "Liturgical music" refers to compositions specifically written for use in worship. A "liturgical year" is the annual cycle of seasons and festivals observed by many churches. Even the colors of vestments worn by clergy often follow liturgical guidelines.
So, if you hear someone talking about a "liturgical service" or a "liturgical calendar," remember it's all about the formal, structured, and traditional ways that faith is expressed through public worship—a beautiful tapestry woven from centuries of devotion and practice.
Examples
- 1
Church music
The choir practiced the liturgical music for Sunday morning.
- 2
Church calendar
The church changes its colors according to the liturgical calendar.
- Phraseliturgical calendar
the yearly cycle of religious seasons and festivals
- 3
Formal style
Some prayers are still written in a formal liturgical style.
- 4
Church reforms
The reforms made the liturgical texts easier for ordinary people to understand.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Religious research
For her research, she compared liturgical practices in Greek and Russian Orthodox churches.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- ecclesiastical
- sacramental
- rubrical
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- liturgical calendar
- liturgical year
- liturgical music
- liturgical vestments
Word family
- liturgy
- liturgically
Explore
- rite
- divine office
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- liturgicaladjective