Purgatory
/ˈpɜːrɡəˌtɔːri/
nounC2
Definition
Purgatory is a religious idea, mainly in Christianity, that describes a place or condition where souls go after death to be cleaned from their sins before they can enter heaven. It is not a permanent place but a temporary state of purification (making pure). People in purgatory are believed to experience some suffering or waiting until they are ready for heaven.
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See It in Action
Religious concept of a temporary place after death for purification
- •According to Catholic belief, souls in purgatory are purified before entering heaven.
- •Prayers are often said to help souls leave purgatory faster.
- •The idea of purgatory comforts some people because it offers hope for forgiveness.
Figurative use meaning a difficult or unpleasant waiting time
- •After losing his job, he felt like he was in purgatory, unsure about his future.
- •Waiting for exam results felt like purgatory because it was full of stress.
- •The long delay was purgatory for the travelers stuck in the airport.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "purgatory" like "waiting room," but for souls after death, where they must stay before moving on
- ✓Picture a quiet, gray place where someone waits patiently and feels a little pain or sadness as they get ready for something better
- ✓It's the feeling of being stuck between two important moments, like waiting nervously before a big test result
- ✓Sounds like "PUR-guh-tory" → imagine a "pure story" that must be finished before the next chapter (heaven) begins
- ✓In stories, characters might go through a tough time or trial before reaching happiness or peace, similar to purgatory
- ✓NOT like "hell" (a place of eternal punishment), purgatory is temporary and meant for cleaning or healing
- ✓NOT like "heaven" (a place of peace and joy), purgatory is a place of preparation and sometimes pain
- ✓NOT like "limbo" (a place of uncertainty), purgatory has a clear purpose: purification before heaven
Try Other Words
- •Hell: a place of eternal punishment (Use when the situation is much worse and permanent, unlike purgatory)
- •Limbo: a state of uncertainty or neglect (Use when the situation is unclear or stuck without purpose)
- •Waiting room: a place to wait (Use when the waiting is neutral or calm, without suffering)
- •Trial: a difficult test or challenge (Use when focusing on the hard experience without the religious meaning)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "purg-" from Latin "purgare" meaning "to cleanse" + "-atory" suffix forming nouns meaning "place or process"
- •Etymology: From Latin "purgatorium," meaning a place of cleansing or purification
- •Historical development: The word entered English in the late 14th century, mainly from Christian theology describing the after-death purification place
- •Modern usage: Used in religious contexts and also figuratively to describe any difficult waiting or suffering period before a goal or relief
Reflect & Connect
•How might the idea of purgatory help people feel better about difficult times in life or after death?
•Can you think of a time in your life that felt like purgatory—waiting for something important but feeling uncomfortable or unsure?
Fill in the blanks
1.People believe souls stay in purgatory to ___ from their sins before going to heaven.
2.Purgatory is different from hell because it is ___, not forever.
3.When someone is in purgatory, they often experience ___ or waiting.
4.Saying prayers can help souls leave purgatory ___.
5.Feeling stuck in a difficult situation at work can feel like being in ___.
6.Purgatory is like a ___ room, but with pain and cleansing instead of just waiting.
7.Unlike limbo, purgatory has a clear ___: to prepare souls for heaven.