Words / B2

KULT/kʌlt/

A cult is a small religious group, often with intense devotion to a leader; also intense popular admiration (a cult film): a cult following; cult of personality. Sect is a close twin, often within a larger faith; fandom is the media twin. A cult in the sociology extract still needs a named group. Mix-up: cult vs culture; occult; do not write cult for a film slogan unless the media paper uses that sense.

Meaning

A small religious group, often with intense devotion to a leader; also intense popular admiration (a cult film).

Examples

• “A cult in the sociology extract still needs a named group, not a film slogan unless the source is media.”
• “A cult of personality featured in the history paper, which is the leader-worship sense — still name the figure.”

Good to know

a religious cult; a cult film / following; a cult of personality. Close: sect. Media twin: fandom. Trap: culture / occult. Sociology, RS, and media. A small intense group, or intense fandom — name the group or the title.

Near in meaning

sect, following, fandom

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