Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

purgatory

noun

/ˈpɜrɡəˌtɔri/

Definition

Purgatory is a state or place of temporary suffering or purification before reaching a final destination, often associated with religious beliefs about the afterlife.

Examples

After his death, some believed he was in purgatory, waiting for his soul to be cleansed.
In her Catholic upbringing, she was taught that purgatory existed to prepare souls for the joy of heaven.

Meaning

In many religious traditions, purgatory refers to the intermediate state where souls who have died in a state of grace must undergo purification before entering heaven.