superstitious

superstitious — adjective

1. believing that certain objects, actions, or events can bring good or bad luck, e

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

believing that certain objects, actions, or events can bring good or bad luck, even when science or reason gives no support to that idea

Example

Lakshmi refused to open an umbrella indoors because she was superstitious about bad luck.

superstitious about + [action/object]

Niran knocks on wood after saying something good — a superstitious habit from his grandmother.

attributive: superstitious + noun (habit)

Common collocations
  • deeply superstitious
  • highly superstitious
  • extremely superstitious
  • superstitious about
  • superstitious belief
  • superstitious nature
  • superstitious practice
Synonyms
  • irrational

    broader; covers any belief not based on reason, not specifically tied to luck or magic

  • fatalistic

    similar in implying belief in uncontrollable forces, but fatalism focuses on destiny rather than luck

  • credulous

    focuses on a general tendency to believe things too easily, without the specific link to luck or magic

Antonyms
  • rational

    relies on logic and evidence rather than folklore or gut feeling

  • skeptical

    questions beliefs, especially those without scientific backing

Grammar Patterns

be superstitious about something

a superstitious person/habit/belief/ritual

Usage Note

Frequently followed by about + noun or -ing form to name the specific trigger of the belief, e.g., superstitious about black cats, superstitious about walking under a ladder.

Common Mistakes

He is superstitious of black cats.
He is superstitious about black cats.
The correct preposition after superstitious is about, not of.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Irrational is the broadest of the three: it covers any belief or behaviour not based on reason, from a fear of spiders to a refusal to vaccinate. Fatalistic is narrower and more specific to destiny — a fatalistic person believes that what happens is already decided, so there is no point trying to change it. Credulous describes someone who believes things too easily, often because they trust others without questioning. Superstitious sits between these: it is about a belief in luck, omens, or supernatural cause-and-effect that science does not support. A person can be both superstitious and fatalistic (wearing a lucky charm while believing fate is fixed), but superstitious always ties to specific actions or objects, whereas fatalistic is a general worldview.

irrationalfatalisticcredulous

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from Latin superstitiosus, based on superstitio ('superstition'). The Latin root is thought to combine super- ('above') and stare ('to stand'), giving the picture of someone standing in awe or dread before things believed to be supernatural. English adopted the word through Old French superstitieux in the 14th century.