Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
puritan
noun
/ˈpjʊərɪtən/
Definition
A person who adheres to strict moral or religious principles, often associated with a desire to promote moral purity.
Examples
- The puritan lifestyle emphasizes simplicity and self-discipline.
- He was often criticized for his puritan attitude towards leisure activities.
- Many of the early settlers of New England were puritans seeking religious freedom.
Meaning
Originally, a member of a group of English Protestants in the late 16th and 17th centuries who sought to purify the Church of England of any remaining Roman Catholic practices. The term has since come to describe anyone who is considered excessively strict or austere in their moral views.
Synonyms
- Ascetic
- Severe
- Strict
- Moralist
- Prude
