WordGarden.iopuritanical
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pjˌʊrɪtˈænɪkəl/
US
- /ˌpjʊrəˈtænɪkəl/
Meanings
Adjective
excessively strict or disapproving about morality, pleasure, or sexual propriety
Beyond the definition
The term "puritanical" comes from the historical Puritans of England, who wanted to "purify" the Church of England. Today, it describes someone with very strict moral views, often in a way that seems too severe or too eager to judge other people. Think of a character in a novel who frowns on fun, pleasure, or anything they see as improper. It does not have to be religious; someone can be this way about dating, clothing, entertainment, or personal habits.
For example, a parent might be described as puritanical if they forbid their teenager from watching certain movies or listening to certain music. A community might be called puritanical if it reacts strongly against public displays of affection or tries to ban books it finds improper. The word often has a negative tone, suggesting that someone is too judgmental and not open-minded.
"Puritanical" stems from the historical group known as the Puritans, English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who aimed to reform the Church of England. They believed in strict religious discipline and a simple lifestyle, rejecting what they saw as frivolous or immoral practices. While historically rooted in religion, today "puritanical" describes anyone who holds excessively rigid moral standards and often imposes them on others.
It's more than just being conservative; it implies an intolerance of anything considered improper or unconventional. A puritanical person isn't simply against something; they actively disapprove of those who do engage in it.
You might describe a society as "puritanical" if it has very strict social norms and heavily polices behavior. Or, you could say someone is "puritanical about food," meaning they have extremely restrictive dietary rules. A teacher might be seen as puritanical if they insist on absolute silence in the classroom, even during creative activities.
The word often carries a critical tone, suggesting that these strict standards are excessive and stifling. It implies a lack of tolerance for different viewpoints or lifestyles. While it can refer to religious beliefs, it's more commonly used to describe attitudes towards social behavior, personal habits, or artistic expression. So, if someone is overly concerned with upholding rigid moral codes and judging others accordingly, they might be described as puritanical.
Examples
- 1
Family rules
Some parents in the town still have a puritanical attitude toward dating and expect teenagers to follow strict rules.
- 2
Film censorship
Critics said the film was banned because of a puritanical view of sex on screen.
- Patternview of + topic
attitude or opinion about it
- 3
Personal habits
He isn't religious, but he can be oddly puritanical about drinking and nightlife.
- Patternpuritanical about + topic
having very strict ideas about it
- 4
Political censorship
The novel makes fun of the puritanical politicians who wanted to censor every kiss in a movie.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Dress code
Her colleagues found the office dress code unnecessarily puritanical for a creative company.
See also
Similar
- prudish
- strait-laced
- moralistic
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- puritanical attitude
- puritanical streak
- puritanical society
Word family
- puritanically
- puritanism
Explore
- moral conservatism
- social repression
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- puritanicaladjective