Worshipped or Worshiped: Which Spelling Is Correct?

Both spellings are correct. “Worshipped” with two Ps is standard in British English, Canadian English, and Australian English. “Worshiped” with one P is the preferred spelling in American English. Both are the past tense of the verb “worship.”

If you write for a U.S. audience, use “worshiped” and “worshiping.” Major American dictionaries list the single P spelling first and the double P form as a variant. Spelling is one of the few places where both forms are accepted, so the choice depends on your reader and your style guide. Pick one form and use it consistently in the same piece.

Quick Answer: Worshipped or Worshiped?

Spelling	Where it is preferred	Present participle
Worshiped	United States	Worshiping
Worshipped	UK, Canada, Australia, and most other English-speaking regions	Worshipping

💡 Tip: For a U.S. audience, “worshiped” is the safer choice. A reader will not call “worshipped” wrong, but it may look British to them.

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What Does Worshipped Mean?

“Worshipped” is the past tense of the verb “worship.” It has three main meanings.

Meaning 1: To show reverence to a god or sacred being. This is the most common sense. It usually involves prayer, song, rituals, or offerings.

Meaning 2: To love or admire someone very deeply. People use this sense for celebrities, heroes, or loved ones. It is often called hero worship.

Meaning 3: To treat something as extremely important. Here the object is not a person or a god. It can be money, success, or a lifestyle.

• “The ancient Egyptians worshiped the sun god Ra.”
• “She worshiped her older brother and copied everything he did.”

Worshipped or Worshiped Grammar: Why Two Spellings Exist

The difference comes from a spelling rule about doubling consonants. When you add an ending like “ed” or “ing,” you often double the last consonant. This happens when the last syllable is stressed, as in “begin” and “beginning.”

The word “worship” has its stress on the first syllable: WOR-ship. The last syllable is unstressed. American spelling rules say you should not double the consonant in that case, so you get “worshiped.” British spelling often doubles the final consonant anyway, so you get “worshipped.”

The same pattern appears in other words:

American spelling	British spelling
Traveled	Travelled
Canceled	Cancelled
Labeled	Labelled
Worshiped	Worshipped
Counseled	Counselled

All Forms of the Verb “Worship”

Form	American	British
Base	worship	worship
Third person	worships	worships
Past tense	worshiped	worshipped
Past participle	worshiped	worshipped
Present participle	worshiping	worshipping
Person who worships	worshiper	worshipper

⚠️ Common mistake: Do not mix the two systems in one article. Writing “worshiped” in one paragraph and “worshipping” in the next looks careless.

Is “Worship” a Noun or a Verb?

It is both. As a verb, it describes an action. As a noun, it names the act or practice.

• Verb: “They worship every Sunday morning.”
• Noun: “Worship is an important part of daily life for many families.”

“Worshipped” and “worshiped” are always verb forms. They can also work as adjectives in phrases like “a worshiped figure.”

How to Pronounce Worshipped

Both spellings sound the same. The ending “ed” is pronounced as a “t” sound, as in “walked.”

• American pronunciation: WUR-shipt
• British pronunciation: WUR-shipt, with a softer “r”
• IPA (American): /ˈwɜːrʃɪpt/
• IPA (British): /ˈwɜːʃɪpt/

The stress falls on the first syllable. The “wor” sounds like the start of “worm,” not like “war.”

Origin of the Word Worship

The word comes from Old English “weorthscipe.” It joins “weorth,” meaning worth, with “scipe,” meaning a state or condition. The original idea was something like worthiness or honor. The word first described the respect given to a person of high rank. Over time it became tied mainly to religious devotion.

The old meaning survives in the British title “Your Worship,” used for some mayors and magistrates.

Worshipped or Worshiped in the Bible

Bible translations differ in their spelling because they follow different spelling habits. The King James Version is a British English text and uses the double P form. Many modern American translations, such as the NIV in its U.S. edition, use the single P form.

The meaning does not change. Both spellings describe acts of reverence, such as bowing down, praying, or making offerings.

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Worshipped or Worshiped in Catholic Writing

Catholic teaching separates different kinds of reverence, and the vocabulary matters here.

Term	Meaning	Directed toward
Latria	Worship or adoration	God alone
Dulia	Veneration or honor	Saints
Hyperdulia	Special veneration	Mary

Because of this, Catholic writers often say that saints are “venerated” or “honored,” not “worshiped.” The spelling still follows regional rules. A U.S. Catholic publication will usually write “worshiped.” A British one will write “worshipped.”

Who Worshipped Baal?

Baal was a storm and fertility god in the ancient Near East. The name means “lord” or “master.” Worship of Baal was common among the Canaanites and Phoenicians.

The Hebrew Bible also describes Israelites worshipping Baal at various times. The best known account involves King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. The prophet Elijah challenged the priests of Baal at Mount Carmel.

Is Baal Still Worshipped Today?

There is no major living religion that centers on Baal. Worship of Baal belongs to the ancient world. Some modern pagan or occult groups claim to honor him, but these groups are small and hard to verify.

Who Worshipped Moloch?

Moloch appears in the Hebrew Bible in connection with child sacrifice. The texts link the practice to the Ammonites and, at times, to Israelites who strayed from the faith.

Scholars still debate the details. Some think Moloch was a god. Others think the Hebrew word refers to a type of sacrifice. Because of this uncertainty, it is best to say that “the Bible condemns the practice” and avoid claiming more than the evidence supports.

Why Is Brahma Not Worshipped as Much as Other Hindu Gods?

Brahma is the creator god in Hinduism and part of the Trimurti, along with Vishnu and Shiva. Yet he has very few temples. The best known is in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.

Hindu tradition offers several explanations. One story says Shiva cursed Brahma after Brahma lied about finding the top of Shiva’s endless pillar of light. Another story from Pushkar involves a curse from Brahma’s wife, Savitri. Some scholars add that Brahma’s main task, creation, is already complete. Devotion then shifted toward Vishnu and Shiva, who remain active in the world.

These are traditional explanations and not a single agreed answer.

Examples of Gods and Beings Worshiped by Humans

Humans have worshiped many gods across history. Here are a few well known examples.

Deity	Culture or religion	Known for
Ra	Ancient Egypt	Sun god
Zeus	Ancient Greece	King of the gods, sky
Odin	Norse tradition	Wisdom, war, and poetry
Illapa	Inca and Andean peoples	Thunder, lightning, and rain
Vishnu	Hinduism	Preserver of the universe
Amaterasu	Shinto	Sun goddess
Quetzalcoatl	Aztec	Feathered serpent deity
God (Yahweh)	Judaism and Christianity	Creator
Allah	Islam	Creator

The people who worshiped the rain and thunder god Illapa were the Inca and other Andean communities. Farmers in the mountains depended on rain, so weather gods held great importance.

Spirits Worshiped in Thailand

In Thailand, many homes and businesses have a small spirit house. People leave offerings such as flowers, incense, food, and drink. The practice honors guardian spirits of the land. It often exists alongside Buddhism and does not replace it.

Hero Worship: When People Are Worshiped

Hero worship means admiring a person to an extreme degree. The person may be a singer, athlete, leader, or family member. The word “idol” fits here.

• “He had hero worship for his coach.”
• “Fans worshiped the band.”

💡 Tip: For a crossword clue like “worshiped figure,” common answers include “idol,” “deity,” and “icon.” Always check the letter count first.

What Is the Highest Form of Worship?

Religions answer this differently, so no single answer fits everyone.

• Many Christians point to love for God and neighbor.
• Many Muslims consider prayer (salah) and submission to God central.
• Many Hindus emphasize devotion (bhakti), along with duty and knowledge.
• Many Buddhists stress meditation and ethical living more than worship of a god.

Is Praise a Form of Worship?

In many traditions, yes. Praise expresses honor and gratitude. Worship is a broader word that can also include prayer, silence, study, service, and ritual.

Common Ways People Worship

• Prayer
• Singing hymns or chanting
• Reading or reciting scripture
• Meditation
• Rituals and ceremonies
• Making offerings
• Service to others
• Gathering in a temple, church, mosque, or synagogue

Worshipped Meaning in Urdu

In Urdu, “worshipped” is often translated as “پوجا کیا گیا” or “عبادت کی گئی.” The word “پرستش” is also used. The best choice depends on context. For hero worship, “بے حد چاہا گیا” works better.

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Synonyms for Worshipped

Word	Meaning	Difference
Revered	Deeply respected	Often used for people or traditions
Venerated	Honored with great respect	Common in religious settings
Adored	Loved very much	More emotional, less religious
Idolized	Admired as a perfect figure	Usually about people
Honored	Shown respect	Milder and more general
Glorified	Praised highly	Can also mean exaggerated

Worshipped in a Sentence

Here are a few natural examples.

• “The villagers worshiped the river as a source of life.”
• “As a child, she worshiped her grandmother.”
• “In the past, many cultures worshipped the moon.”

Common Mistakes with Worshipped or Worshiped

❌ Incorrect: “Worshiped” and “worshipping” in the same article.
✅ Correct: “Worshiped” and “worshiping” together in American English, or “worshipped” and “worshipping” together in British English.

❌ Incorrect: “Worshipt”
✅ Correct: “Worshipped” or “worshiped.” The “t” sound is only in the pronunciation.

❌ Incorrect: “Worshiper” in a British style document.
✅ Correct: “Worshipper” in British, Canadian, and Australian writing.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

• Writing for the U.S.: Use worshiped, worshiping, worshiper.
• Writing for the UK or Australia: Use worshipped, worshipping, worshipper.
• Writing for Canada: Canadian usage generally leans toward the double P form, but check your publication’s style guide.
• Quoting a text: Keep the spelling used in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worshipped or worshiped?

Both are correct. “Worshiped” is preferred in American English. “Worshipped” is preferred in British English.

How do you spell worshiped in American English?

It is spelled W-O-R-S-H-I-P-E-D, with one P before the “ed.”

What is the present participle of worship?

It is “worshiping” in American English and “worshipping” in British English.

Is worshiped a word?

Yes. It is the standard American spelling of the past tense of “worship.”

How do you pronounce worshipped?

Say “WUR-shipt.” The ending sounds like a “t.”

Is worship a noun or a verb?

It is both. “Worship” can name the act or describe the action.

What is the difference between worship and adore?

Worship usually has a religious or spiritual tone. Adore describes strong affection and need not involve anything sacred.

What does hero worship mean?

It means admiring someone so much that you treat them as nearly perfect.

Conclusion

The answer to “worshipped or worshiped” is simple. Both spellings are correct, and they mean exactly the same thing. American English prefers “worshiped,” while British and many other varieties of English prefer “worshipped.”

When you write, decide who your reader is and follow that region’s spelling. Stay consistent across the whole article, including “worshiping” or “worshipping” and “worshiper” or “worshipper.” That one habit will keep your writing clear and professional.