Puritan
noun
A person who follows strict religious or moral rules.
He was a puritan when it came to following the church rules.
Often appears as...
- puritan lifestyle
- puritan belief
adjective
Following or practicing the ways of the Puritans.
Her lifestyle was puritan, strictly adhering to her religious beliefs.
Often appears as...
- puritan practices
- puritan morals
noun
A member of a group of Protestants in the 16th and 17th century who wanted to make the Church of England simpler and more pure.
The Puritans emigrated to America, seeking religious freedom.
Often appears as...
- puritan movement
- puritan emigration
Usage tips
Historic
noun
A person who follows strict religious or moral rules.
He was a puritan when it came to following the church rules.
Often appears as...
- puritan lifestyle
- puritan belief
adjective
Following or practicing the ways of the Puritans.
Her lifestyle was puritan, strictly adhering to her religious beliefs.
Often appears as...
- puritan practices
- puritan morals
noun
A member of a group of Protestants in the 16th and 17th century who wanted to make the Church of England simpler and more pure.
The Puritans emigrated to America, seeking religious freedom.
Often appears as...
- puritan movement
- puritan emigration
Usage tips
Historic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Moral Strictness
The term often implies that someone is overly strict and doesn't tolerate different behaviors or beliefs.
Don’t invite him to the party; he's a puritan and will just spoil the fun.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Association
In modern usage, 'puritan' can have negative connotations, suggesting someone is narrow-minded.
Calling her a puritan for her views on TV censorship was quite judgmental.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Religious
While it has religious origins, 'puritan' is used broadly for strict morality in any area.
He is a puritan about diet, only eating organic, unprocessed food.
Pro Tip 1/3Moral Strictness
The term often implies that someone is overly strict and doesn't tolerate different behaviors or beliefs.
Don’t invite him to the party; he's a puritan and will just spoil the fun.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Association
In modern usage, 'puritan' can have negative connotations, suggesting someone is narrow-minded.
Calling her a puritan for her views on TV censorship was quite judgmental.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Religious
While it has religious origins, 'puritan' is used broadly for strict morality in any area.
He is a puritan about diet, only eating organic, unprocessed food.
Pro Tip 1/3Moral Strictness
The term often implies that someone is overly strict and doesn't tolerate different behaviors or beliefs.
Don’t invite him to the party; he's a puritan and will just spoil the fun.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Association
In modern usage, 'puritan' can have negative connotations, suggesting someone is narrow-minded.
Calling her a puritan for her views on TV censorship was quite judgmental.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Religious
While it has religious origins, 'puritan' is used broadly for strict morality in any area.
He is a puritan about diet, only eating organic, unprocessed food.
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Video examples
The moral roots of...
so you might say okay there are these differences between liberals and conservatives but what makes those three other foundations moral aren't those just the foundations of xenophobia and authoritarianism and puritanism what makes them moral the answer i think is contained in this incredible triptych from hieronymus bosch the garden of earthly delights
Video examples
Jonathan Haidt: The...
But to a liberal, it sounds like this dog is running for the Republican nomination. You might say, OK, there are differences between liberals and conservatives, but what makes the three other foundations moral? Aren't they the foundations of xenophobia, authoritarianism and puritanism? What makes them moral?
Video examples
Witches! A Stop-Motion...
Puritans living near Salem Massachusetts in 1692 anyone could be a witch
Video examples
The moral roots of...
so you might say okay there are these differences between liberals and conservatives but what makes those three other foundations moral aren't those just the foundations of xenophobia and authoritarianism and puritanism what makes them moral the answer i think is contained in this incredible triptych from hieronymus bosch the garden of earthly delights
Video examples
Jonathan Haidt: The...
But to a liberal, it sounds like this dog is running for the Republican nomination. You might say, OK, there are differences between liberals and conservatives, but what makes the three other foundations moral? Aren't they the foundations of xenophobia, authoritarianism and puritanism? What makes them moral?
Video examples
Witches! A Stop-Motion...
Puritans living near Salem Massachusetts in 1692 anyone could be a witch
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Emma Goldman
Russian Activist
Puritanism, in whatever expression, is a poisonous germ. On the surface everything may look strong and vigorous; yet the poison works its way persistently, until the entire fabric is doomed.
Quote examples
John Updike
American Novelist
We are drawn to artists who tell us that art is difficult to do and takes a spiritual effort, because we are still puritan enough to respect a strenuous spiritual effort.
Quote examples
James Young
American Musician
You know the puritan ethic that started out four centuries ago in this country, needless to say - at least for the moment - a thing of the past - from what I can tell.
Quote examples
Karl Lagerfeld
German Designer
I'm a total puritan, but I found Jacques' adventures amusing. We couldn't be further apart. I am a Calvinist toward myself and totally indulgent toward others.
Quote examples
Gunter Grass
German Author
Art is so wonderfully irrational, exuberantly pointless, but necessary all the same. Pointless and yet necessary, that's hard for a puritan to understand.
Quote examples
Guy Fieri
American Businessman
I was raised not so much in a puritan environment, but for the most part, a pretty healthy one.
Quote examples
Gilbert K. Chesterton
English Writer
A puritan is a person who pours righteous indignation into the wrong things.
Quote examples
H. L. Mencken
American Writer
Puritanism. The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.
Quote examples
Vivienne Westwood
English Designer
Personally I'm not a feminist, as I can't stand puritans.
Quote examples
Leland Ryken
American Educator
Puritanism was a youthful, vigorous movement.
Quote examples
Emma Goldman
Russian Activist
Puritanism, in whatever expression, is a poisonous germ. On the surface everything may look strong and vigorous; yet the poison works its way persistently, until the entire fabric is doomed.
Quote examples
John Updike
American Novelist
We are drawn to artists who tell us that art is difficult to do and takes a spiritual effort, because we are still puritan enough to respect a strenuous spiritual effort.
Quote examples
James Young
American Musician
You know the puritan ethic that started out four centuries ago in this country, needless to say - at least for the moment - a thing of the past - from what I can tell.
Quote examples
Karl Lagerfeld
German Designer
I'm a total puritan, but I found Jacques' adventures amusing. We couldn't be further apart. I am a Calvinist toward myself and totally indulgent toward others.
Quote examples
Gunter Grass
German Author
Art is so wonderfully irrational, exuberantly pointless, but necessary all the same. Pointless and yet necessary, that's hard for a puritan to understand.
Quote examples
Guy Fieri
American Businessman
I was raised not so much in a puritan environment, but for the most part, a pretty healthy one.
Quote examples
Gilbert K. Chesterton
English Writer
A puritan is a person who pours righteous indignation into the wrong things.
Quote examples
H. L. Mencken
American Writer
Puritanism. The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.
Quote examples
Vivienne Westwood
English Designer
Personally I'm not a feminist, as I can't stand puritans.
Quote examples
Leland Ryken
American Educator
Puritanism was a youthful, vigorous movement.
Example 1 of 10
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