a member of a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who wanted to simplify the Church of England by removing many of its ceremonies and decorations, a person who follows strict moral and religious principles, especially one who disapproves of pleasure and entertainment

a Puritan streak, Puritan work ethic, Puritan roots

Puritan ethic, Puritan plain style, Puritan punishment

Formal and Informal Expressions of puritan

In different contexts, you can replace 'puritan' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'member of the Church of England, strict moralist' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'prude, killjoy' is a commonplace synonym.

puritan: Explore its Definition & Usage

puritan Definition

1a member of a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who wanted to simplify the Church of England by removing many of its ceremonies and decorations
2a person who follows strict moral and religious principles, especially one who disapproves of pleasure and entertainment

Using puritan: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "puritan" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The Puritans believed in predestination.
Example
He was a Puritan minister.
Example
She has a puritanical attitude towards sex.
Example
The Puritan work ethic emphasizes hard work and self-discipline.

puritan Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for puritan

Antonyms for puritan

hedonist
libertine

Idioms Using puritan

a Puritan streak
a tendency to be strict or severe in one's moral or religious beliefs
Example
Despite her liberal views, she had a Puritan streak that made her disapprove of certain behaviors.
Puritan work ethic
the belief that hard work and diligence are moral virtues that lead to success
Example
The Puritan work ethic is deeply ingrained in American culture.
Puritan roots
the origins or historical background of Puritanism
Example
Many Americans can trace their Puritan roots back to the early settlers of New England.

Phrases with puritan

Puritan ethic
the belief that hard work and self-discipline are virtues that lead to success
Example
The Puritan ethic is still strong in American culture today.
Puritan plain style
a style of writing characterized by simple language, direct statements, and references to ordinary, everyday objects
Example
The Puritan plain style is exemplified in the works of writers like William Bradford and Anne Bradstreet.
Puritan punishment
punishment that is harsh and severe, often involving public humiliation or physical pain
Example
The Puritans were known for their use of Puritan punishment, such as the stocks and the pillory.

Origins of puritan

from Late Latin 'puritas', meaning 'purity'

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Summary: puritan in Brief

The term 'puritan' [ˈpjʊərɪtn] refers to two distinct but related concepts. First, it describes a member of a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who sought to simplify the Church of England. Second, it denotes a person who follows strict moral and religious principles, often disapproving of pleasure and entertainment. Examples include 'The Puritan work ethic emphasizes hard work and self-discipline,' and 'She has a puritanical attitude towards sex.' Phrases like 'Puritan ethic' and 'Puritan punishment' further illustrate this concept.