What does puritanical mean?
Puritanical means extremely strict about moral or religious matters, particularly in a way that disapproves of pleasure, entertainment, or personal freedom. The adjective is often used to criticize a rigid, self-righteous, or moralistic attitude rather than to offer neutral praise for discipline. A person might describe a community as puritanical if it treats ordinary enjoyment as improper, or characterize an interpretation of a text as puritanical when it suppresses ambiguity and focuses narrowly on what is deemed morally correct. The word grew out of the historical association with the Puritans, English religious reformers known for strict religious discipline, but its modern use is broader and generally negative. It should be distinguished from merely being religious, conscientious, or traditional: the defining feature is severity toward others, especially when that severity is perceived as excessive.
adjectiveExtremely strict about moral or religious matters, especially in a way that condemns pleasure, entertainment, or personal freedom. The term is often used critically to describe behavior perceived as rigid or self-righteous.
- Extremely strict or rigid in matters of morality, religion, or behavior, especially in a way that condemns pleasure or personal freedom.
"Her puritanical attitude toward the theatre made it impossible to relax or enjoy herself."
"The committee rejected the proposal because of its puritanical interpretation of the novel."
"His puritanical approach to work left little room for humor or relaxation."
Puritanical combines the historical severity of the Puritans with a modern warning: moral commitment can become self-righteousness when it turns pleasure into a suspected sin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does puritanical come from?
Puritanical was formed in the late 16th century from the noun Puritan, meaning a member of the English Protestant reform movement, with the suffix -ical. The word originally reflected the religious movement's reputation for strictness and serious moral discipline. Its modern critical sense developed from that historical association, while the element pure also links the word to the wider Latin family of pure, purify, and purgatory.
Related word forms
How puritanical is actually used
Usually critical and often somewhat disapproving. It is more common when describing attitudes, standards, interpretations, or attitudes toward sex, art, entertainment, or personal freedom than when describing a person neutrally.
Easily confused with puritanical
A Puritan was a member of a 16th- and 17th-century English religious reform movement, whereas puritanical is an adjective for excessively strict moral or religious behavior.
Pious can describe sincere religious devotion without necessarily implying harsh judgment of others, while puritanical usually suggests rigid moralism and often carries criticism.