votive
Americanadjective
-
offered, given, dedicated, etc., in accordance with a vow.
a votive offering.
-
performed, undertaken, etc., in consequence of a vow.
-
of the nature of or expressive of a wish or desire.
adjective
-
offered, given, undertaken, performed or dedicated in fulfilment of or in accordance with a vow
-
RC Church optional; not prescribed; having the nature of a voluntary offering
a votive Mass
a votive candle
Other Word Forms
- votively adverb
- votiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of votive
1585–95; < Latin vōtīvus, equivalent to vōt ( um ) a vow + -īvus -ive
Explanation
Anything votive has been dedicated or consecrated as part of the fulfillment of a vow. This is a word related to vows: sacred promises people make, like wedding vows. A votive candle is lit when a vow is made. A votive altar has been blessed by a holy person and can be used in making religious vows. Many votive things are related to religion, like a votive ceremony related to honoring a saint. Votive activities should not be undertaken lightly, because a vow is more serious than a regular promise.
Vocabulary lists containing votive
Art History
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Mythology
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Selection Vocabulary 1, Unit 5
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Other discoveries include a votive token depicting Christ offering a blessing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025
A St. Tony votive tucked beside the register at a New York taqueria.
From Salon • Jun. 20, 2025
Rosales juxtaposes a wall of psychedelic party posters, glowing beneath blacklight, with a roadside shrine of flowers and votive candles remembering loss.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2025
Baboons, probably held in captivity in Egypt, were mummified as votive offerings after their deaths.
From Science Daily • Oct. 24, 2023
My father never went along, having become an apostate at the age of eight over the exorbitant price of votive candles.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
