What does demonolatry mean?
Demonolatry denotes the worship of demons, and in modern usage it most often labels an alleged or reported religious practice rather than a neutral description of a mainstream faith. The term can be used in historical studies of European witch trials, religious polemic, fictional traditions, and modern analyses of occult movements. It is also often a weapon of accusation: calling someone a demonolater asserts that they honor Satan or evil spirits. The phrase should therefore be handled carefully, since a historical accusation, a scholarly hypothesis, and a practitioner's self-description are not the same claim. Demonolatry is narrower than the broader word idolatry, which can include worship of images or any object treated as divine, and it differs from demonology, the study or body of beliefs about demons. Despite its specialized history, the word remains useful because it names a specific concept that more general terms such as “occultism” and “Satanism” do not cover precisely.
nounThe worship of demons, especially Satan or evil spirits. The term is often used for alleged practices reported in religious controversy or historical accusations.
- The worship of demons or evil spirits, whether actual, alleged, or described within a religious or fictional tradition.
"The court records charged the woman with demonolatry, although the evidence supporting the accusation was disputed."
"The court records charged the woman with demonolatry, although the evidence supporting the accusation was disputed."
"The ethnographer's account describes a form of demonolatry that differed from the dominant religious practices of the region."
The regular plural is grammatically established but rarely needed because the word normally refers to a single practice or alleged body of practices.
"The book compares demonolatries across three societies, asking how each practice understood demonic agency."
In early modern Europe, an accusation of demonolatry could help send someone to the gallows.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does demonolatry come from?
The word was formed in English from Greek δαίμων (daimōn, “spirit” or “deity”) and λατρεία (latreia, “service” or “worship”), with a literal sense of “worship of daimons.” It entered English in the 17th century in religious controversy, especially in accounts and accusations involving supposed worship of Satan. Related English words include demon, demonology, and demonologist, while idolater shares the Greek element associated with worship.
Related word forms
How demonolatry is actually used
A specialized and often derogatory or historical noun. In modern prose it usually denotes an alleged practice, including accusations made during witch trials; scholars use it for documented or reconstructed forms of demon worship. It is not a general synonym for Satanism, which is a broader modern term.
Easily confused with demonolatry
Demonolatry is the practice of worshiping demons, whereas demonology is the study or body of beliefs concerning demons.
Idolatry is the worship of idols or images regarded as divine, while demonolatry specifically involves the worship of demons.