Definition

Noun: 1. A sermon or discourse on a moral or religious topic: A speech or piece of writing that gives advice on correct behavior or explains religious principles, often in a serious or dull way. 2. A tedious moralizing lecture or admonition: A lengthy and often unwelcome talk intended to teach a moral lesson, typically perceived as boring or pompous.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Religious/Moral Topic):
  • The priest delivered a homily on the importance of compassion.
  • The book contains a collection of homilies from early Christian writers.
• Noun (Tedious Lecture):
  • After my mistake, I had to listen to my father's long homily about responsibility.
  • The manager's weekly meeting turned into a homily on workplace ethics.

Advanced Usage

• "To deliver/preach a homily": To give a speech, especially a moral or religious one.
  • The visiting bishop will deliver the homily at today's mass.
• Used to describe a style of writing or speaking that is overly moralistic.
  • The article was less a news report and more a political homily.

Variants and Related Words

• Homilist (noun): A person who writes or delivers homilies.
  • The medieval homilist was known for his eloquent sermons.
• Homiletic (adjective): Relating to the art of preaching or writing homilies.
  • The course focused on homiletic techniques for new clergy.
• Homiletics (noun): The art or practice of preaching or writing sermons.
  • He studied homiletics at the seminary.

Synonyms

• Sermon: A talk on a religious or moral subject, especially one given during a religious service.
• Lecture: An educational talk to an audience, or a lengthy reprimand.
• Discourse: A formal discussion of a topic in speech or writing.
• Diatribe: A forceful and bitter verbal attack or criticism.
• Admonition: A firm warning or reprimand.

Related Phrases

• "To give someone a homily": To lecture someone at length, especially in a moralizing way.
  • My professor gave me a homily about the importance of citing sources.
• "A homily on/against/about": Used to specify the topic of the moralizing speech.
  • She launched into a homily against modern consumerism.

Related Idioms

• "Preach to the choir": To try to persuade people who already agree with you. (This shares the concept of delivering a moral lecture, though "homily" is not part of the idiom itself).
  • Telling environmentalists to recycle is just preaching to the choir.

Noun

1. a sermon on a moral or religious topic