noun · formal
sainthood
/ˈseɪnt.hʊd/SAINT·hood
The status of being a saint; recognition by a religious authority that someone is a saint.
Examples
“The process of canonisation can take many years before sainthood is declared.”
“Her life of service brought her close to sainthood in the eyes of many followers.”
“Debates about sainthood often involve both historical evidence and theological questions.”
Band 8 sentence
“Historical research sometimes complicates claims for sainthood when new evidence emerges about a candidate's life.”
Collocations
- be considered for sainthood
- achieve sainthood
- declare sainthood
Word family
Common mistakes
He was sainted.→He was declared a saint / He was canonised.
Sainthood is a big honour in the church life.→Sainthood is considered a great honour in church life.
Say it for a higher band
5a saint→6become a saint→7+sainthood
Synonyms
canonisation
Easily confused
knighthood
“The scholar's achievements led to a debate about whether they deserved knighthood.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In -hood
Learn it with its set