polytheism
POL-ee-thee-iz-uhm
/ˈpɒliˌθiːɪzəm/
The belief in or worship of more than one god.
Describes religious systems organized around a divine hierarchy or cosmos inhabited by multiple gods.
The story behind the word. Formed from Greek 'poly-' (many) and 'theos' (god), first used by Jewish writer Philo of Alexandria in Greek, and adapted into English in the 17th century.
Word relationships
- multitheism: Rare variant for polytheism, though polytheism remains the standard formal term.
- monotheism: Belief in only one supreme God.
Commonly confused with
- pantheism: Pantheism identifies God with the universe itself, while polytheism believes in distinct personal gods.
Word family
- polytheist (noun): A person who believes in multiple gods.
- polytheistic (adjective): Relating to or practicing polytheism.
Collocations
- ancient polytheism
- Greco-Roman polytheism
- polytheism and monotheism
Example sentences
- "Ancient Greek polytheism featured distinct divine personalities presiding over specific aspects of human experience." Classical Mythology
- "Practitioners of ancient polytheism often integrated foreign gods into their existing pantheon without conflict." Anthropology
Memory hook
POLY means MANY, THEISM means belief in god. Poly-theism = worship of MANY gods. Many gods in one realm.
When not to use
Do not confuse with animism, which attributes souls to plants, objects, and natural phenomena specifically.
Fun facts
- Most ancient civilizations prior to the Axial Age practiced forms of polytheism.
Related words
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