French word

rituel

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁitɥɛl/

Meaning

  • masculine nounritual

Example

Nous avons suivi le rituel traditionnel.

We followed the traditional ritual.

Illustration for rituel (ritual)

More examples

La famille perpétue son rituel familial chaque dimanche.

The family maintains its family ritual every Sunday.

Core concept

A set pattern of actions that signals belonging, order, or personal significance.

Common phrases

  • rituel familial

    family ritual

  • rituel d'accueil

    welcome ritual

Similar words

routine: A simple daily action or procedure that has become part of everyday life.
habitude: A behavior or tendency learned through personal repetition.
coutume: A long-established way of life or practice shared by a community or region.

Definition in French

Habitude ou ensemble d'actes répétés qui prennent valeur symbolique dans un groupe ou pour une personne.

Word origin

Rituel continues Latin ritualis, an adjective derived from ritus and associated with prescribed rites, and it later became a French noun as well as an adjective.

Usage tips

  • For an ordinary everyday habit, routine is often more neutral, while rituel can add a formal or symbolic tone.

Other meanings

  • routinenoun

Opposites

  • spontanéitéspontaneitynoun

Word lists with this word