superstition

Word family

• superstitious
  adjectiveB2
• superstitiously
  adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Superstition, myth, folklore, old wives' tale, and legend all involve traditional or culturally transmitted ideas, but they differ sharply in scope and truth-claim. Superstition is a belief that a specific action or object influences luck or events through magical means, and it is held by some people as true (e.g. not walking under a ladder). A myth is a traditional story — often about gods or heroes — that may explain a natural phenomenon or cultural practice, but it is not necessarily believed to be factually true by its tellers. Folklore is the broadest term, covering the entire oral tradition of a community: songs, stories, customs, and beliefs (including superstitions). An old wives' tale is an informal, often dismissive term for a superstitious belief that has been scientifically disproven (e.g. "eating carrots helps you see in the dark"). A legend is a semi-historical story about a remarkable person or event (e.g. King Arthur), told as if it might be true. In practice: "The superstition about spilling salt says you should throw some over your shoulder" sounds natural; swapping in "myth" or "legend" would change the meaning entirely.

Common collocations

Etymology

Superstition comes from the Latin word superstitio, which meant 'excessive fear of the gods' or 'prophetic dread.' It was formed from superstare, meaning 'to stand over or survive,' combining super ('over, above') with stare ('to stand'). In ancient Rome, superstitio was contrasted with religio (proper religious reverence), carrying the sense of unreasonable or excessive religious practice. The word entered English through Old French superstition in the 13th century, and by the 1500s it had broadened to refer to any irrational belief about luck, magic, or supernatural causality.