Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who adheres to strict moral or religious principles, especially one who is opposed to pleasure and luxury: A puritan is someone who lives by a very strict moral code and often disapproves of physical pleasures and entertainment.
   • A member of a specific Protestant group in 16th- and 17th-century England and America: Historically, a Puritan was a member of a religious group that sought to "purify" the Church of England from within, advocating for simpler forms of worship and strict personal piety.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Moral Sense):
  • He was such a puritan that he disapproved of dancing and the theater.
  • Don't be such a puritan; there's nothing wrong with enjoying a good meal.
• Noun (Historical/Religious Sense):
  • The Puritans left England to find religious freedom in the New World.
  • Puritan beliefs had a profound influence on early American society.

Advanced Usage

• "Puritan work ethic": A term describing a strong belief in the moral value of hard work, discipline, and frugality, often associated with Puritan teachings.
  • His success is often attributed to his puritan work ethic.
• Used as a common noun (lowercase 'p') to describe a person with strict attitudes, distinct from the historical religious group (capital 'P').
  • She's a bit of a puritan when it comes to modern fashion. (Describing a person with strict tastes)
  • The Puritan settlers established colonies in Massachusetts. (Referring to the historical group)

Variants and Related Words

• Puritanical (adjective): Having very strict moral attitudes that often seem excessive or disapproving.
  • His puritanical views made him unpopular with the younger generation.
• Puritanism (noun): The beliefs and practices characteristic of Puritans; (more generally) strict morality, especially regarding pleasure.
  • The book examines the legacy of Puritanism in American culture.

Synonyms

• Moralist: A person who teaches or promotes morality, often in a critical way.
• Ascetic: A person who practices severe self-discipline and abstains from indulgence, typically for religious reasons.
• Prude: A person who is easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity. (Note: This often has a more negative connotation than 'puritan'.)

Related Phrases

• "Puritan streak": A tendency to have strict or austere moral views.
  • Despite his modern lifestyle, he has a definite puritan streak when it comes to financial debt.

Related Idioms

• "As sober as a Puritan": Extremely serious and morally strict, without humor or indulgence.
  • The meeting was as sober as a Puritan; no one even cracked a smile.

Noun

1. a person excessively concerned about propriety and decorum
2. someone who adheres to strict religious principles; someone opposed to sensual pleasures
3. a member of a group of English Protestants who in the 16th and 17th centuries thought that the Protestant Reformation under Elizabeth was incomplete and advocated the simplification and regulation of forms of worship