What does worshipping mean?
Worshipping is the present participle of 'worship' and normally means engaging in acts of religious devotion, such as prayer, praise, or reverence toward a deity. It can also be used figuratively to describe treating a person, object, or idea with extraordinary admiration or devotion, as in saying that someone is worshipping a celebrity. In contemporary English, this figurative use often carries a mildly critical implication of excessive or uncritical admiration. The word is common in descriptions of religious life, particularly in contexts such as worshipping God, worshipping idols, or worshipping in secret. British English generally spells it 'worshipping' with two p's, while American English uses 'worshiping'. Its history is especially notable: 'worship' originally referred more broadly to worthiness or esteem before acquiring its strongly religious associations. The word is therefore useful not only for describing devotion but also for understanding how religious language and modern criticism of fan culture are connected.
To engage in religious worship or to give profound reverence to a deity, person, object, or idea.
"Pilgrims gathered there to worship at the ancient temple."
The figurative use often implies excessive or uncritical admiration.
The act or practice of worshipping; worship.
"The evening was filled with quiet worship and reflection."
The word worship once meant 'worthiness' or 'esteem'; its connection with religious devotion developed later, so worshipping carries the surprising sense of treating something as worthy of profound honor.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of worshipping
Worshipping is a present-participle and gerund form of the older word 'worship', not an etymologically independent formation. 'Worship' comes from Old English weorþscipe, originally meaning 'worthiness' or 'esteem', and later developed the sense of reverence paid to a deity or sacred object. The related forms 'worshipper' and 'worshipful' reflect the same historical root, while 'worshipping' developed through the regular grammatical inflection of the verb.
Related word forms
How worshipping is actually used
The religious sense is formal and traditionally used of formal religious practices. The figurative sense can suggest excessive or uncritical admiration. British English normally uses 'worshipping'; American English commonly uses 'worshiping'.
Easily confused with worshipping
Worshiping is the usual American spelling, while worshipping with two p's is standard in British English.