What does worshiper mean?
A worshiper is a person who worships, most commonly in the religious sense: someone who venerates a deity, participates in worship with deep devotion, or serves as a committed member of a religious community. The word can also be used figuratively for an enthusiastic admirer who is devoted to a person, artistic style, cause, or pursuit. In this extended sense, “worshiper of” often suggests strong admiration and emotional commitment, and the term may be complimentary or mildly critical depending on context. For example, someone might be praised as a devoted worshiper of classical music but described more critically as a worshiper of a controversial celebrity. The noun is especially common in American English; “worshipper” is the traditional British spelling, and both forms are accepted in modern usage.
nounA worshiper is someone who worships, especially someone who shows deep or reverent religious devotion. Figuratively, it can refer to someone who is an enthusiastic admirer of a person, belief, activity, or thing.
- A person who worships or shows reverent religious devotion.
- A person who is a devoted or enthusiastic admirer of something.
"She was a devoted worshiper of the old traditions, attending the temple services every week."
"The worshiper knelt quietly while the choir began the evening service."
"He was such a worshiper of the mountains that he planned a new journey every spring."
The standard American plural is “worshipers”; “worshippers” is also widely accepted and is the usual form in British English.
"Many worshipers gathered outside the temple before sunrise."
The spelling divides the map: “worshiper” is the usual American form, while “worshipper” is the traditional British one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of worshiper
“Worshiper” is formed from “worship” and the agentive suffix “-er,” meaning a person who performs the action or occupies the role described by the base word. “Worship” comes from Old English “weorþscipe,” originally associated with worth, honor, or service, and developed through Middle English into its modern religious and figurative senses. The related word “worshipper” reflects a later or parallel spelling tradition, while “worshipful” shares the same verbal base in an adjectival formation.
How worshiper is actually used
The word is formal or neutral in religious contexts. Its figurative use can be complimentary, as in “devoted worshiper of the arts,” or mildly critical when it suggests excessive enthusiasm or unquestioning devotion.
Easily confused with worshiper
“Worshipper” and “worshiper” are variant spellings of the same word rather than separate meanings; “worshiper” is more common in American English.