Votary: meaning, definitions and examples

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votary

 

[ ˈvəʊtəri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious devotion

A person who is devoted to a particular belief or deity, often through religious practices or rituals. Votaries are known for their unwavering dedication and commitment to their faith.

Synonyms

adherent, devotee, worshipper.

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Word Description / Examples
votary

Typically used in a religious or spiritual context to describe someone who is devoted to a particular deity or faith.

  • She was a votary of the ancient goddess, practicing rituals in her honor.
  • As a votary, he spent his days in meditation and prayer.
devotee

This word describes someone who shows deep enthusiasm or passion for a particular activity, subject, or person. It can be used in both religious and secular contexts.

  • She is a devotee of classical music, attending every concert possible.
  • A devotee of the new tech startup, he followed all its developments closely.
worshipper

Used in a religious sense to refer to someone who participates in acts of worship towards a deity or deities.

  • The worshippers gathered at the temple for the evening prayers.
  • As a devout worshipper, she never missed a Sunday service.
adherent

This is generally used to describe someone who is loyal to a cause, idea, or leader, often in a socio-political or ideological context.

  • He is a strong adherent of progressive policies.
  • The party's adherents gathered to support their candidate.

Examples of usage

  • The votary spent hours in prayer at the temple.
  • As a votary of Buddhism, she followed the teachings of the Buddha closely.
Context #2 | Noun

supporter or advocate

A person who strongly supports or advocates for a particular cause, organization, or individual. Votaries are often passionate about their beliefs and work tirelessly to promote them.

Synonyms

advocate, enthusiast, supporter.

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Word Description / Examples
votary

This word is typically used in formal or religious contexts to describe someone who is fervently devoted to a cause, religion, or person.

  • She was a votary of the ancient rituals.
  • As a votary of environmentalism, he dedicated his life to protecting nature.
supporter

This word is often used in social, political, or casual contexts to describe someone who is in favor of or backs a certain group, person, or idea.

  • She is a loyal supporter of the local football team.
  • Many people are supporters of renewable energy initiatives.
advocate

This word is commonly used in legal, political, or social settings to refer to someone who actively speaks or argues in favor of a cause, policy, or individual.

  • She is a well-known advocate for human rights.
  • He became an advocate for the new education reform.
enthusiast

This word is used informally to describe someone who has a keen interest or passion for a particular activity or subject.

  • He is a computer enthusiast who loves building his own PCs.
  • She is a yoga enthusiast who practices daily.

Examples of usage

  • She was a votary of human rights and worked tirelessly to promote equality for all.
  • The politician found strong support from his votaries during the election campaign.

Translations

Translations of the word "votary" in other languages:

🇵🇹 votário

🇮🇳 समर्थक

🇩🇪 Anhänger

🇮🇩 pengikut

🇺🇦 послідовник

🇵🇱 zwolennik

🇯🇵 信奉者 (しんぽうしゃ)

🇫🇷 adepte

🇪🇸 adepto

🇹🇷 taraftar

🇰🇷 신봉자 (sinbongja)

🇸🇦 تابع

🇨🇿 stoupenec

🇸🇰 prívrženec

🇨🇳 追随者 (zhuīsuízhě)

🇸🇮 privrženec

🇮🇸 fylgismaður

🇰🇿 жанкүйер

🇬🇪 მოწოდებული

🇦🇿 tərəfdar

🇲🇽 adepto

Etymology

The word 'votary' originated from the Latin word 'votarius', meaning 'given by vow'. It first appeared in English in the 16th century, primarily used in religious contexts to refer to those devoted to a deity. Over time, its meaning expanded to include supporters or advocates of various causes. The term reflects the idea of dedication, commitment, and loyalty, whether in a religious or secular context.

See also: avow, vow, vows.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,726 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.