Purgatory

//ˈpɝɡəˌtɔɹi// adj, name, noun

adj, name, noun ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Alternative letter-case form of Purgatory. alt-of, countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    (theology) in Roman Catholic theology the place where those who have died in a state of grace undergo limited torment to expiate their sins wordnet
  3. 3
    Any situation where suffering is endured, particularly as part of a process of redemption. countable, uncountable

    "[…] many Gods breedeth heathens miseries, many countries trauailers humors, many wiues mens purgatories, and many friends trustes ruine:"

  4. 4
    a temporary condition of torment or suffering wordnet
Adjective
  1. 1
    Tending to cleanse; expiatory.

    "Last of all, the prodigie of Siracusa was expiat by a purgatory sacrifice, by direction from the soothsaiers to what gods, supplications and sacrifice should be made."

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    An intermediate state after death in which some of those ultimately destined for Heaven must first undergo purification.

Synonyms

All synonyms
abaddonafterlifeasceticismavichibogbottomless pit

Example

More examples

"Marriage, in peace, is this world's paradise; in strife, this life's purgatory."

Etymology

From Middle English purgatorie, from Old French purgatore, purgatorie, from Latin purgātōrium (“cleansing”). Cognate to English purge.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.