Polytheism

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /pɒl.ɪˈθiː.ɪz.əm/

Definitions

1. The belief in and veneration of multiple deities rather than a single divine being
2. The religious system wherein multiple distinct gods are recognized, worshipped, and considered responsible for different aspects of existence
3. A theological framework that acknowledges and reveres numerous gods, each often associated with specific elements of nature or human experience

Etymology: Ancient Greek speakers did not need a single word for belief in many gods, because almost everyone assumed the gods were many. The compound came later, built from "polús," meaning "many," and "theós," meaning "god," the same "theos" that gives us "theology." The Greek pieces were combined into a French coinage, "polythéisme," which English then borrowed. The pattern is a deliberate one: "poly-" (many) attached to "theism" (belief in a god), so the word reads as "many-godism" in plain terms. The contrast it draws is with "monotheism," belief in one god, a term built on the same scheme with "mono-" (one). Once the two words existed side by side, people could describe ancient religions as polytheistic in a way the Greeks themselves never had to.

Synonyms: multiple deities, many gods, idol worship

Antonyms: monotheism