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homily

/ˈhɑməli/
/ˈhɒməli/
IPA guide

Other forms: homilies

A homily is a sermon or religious speech offering encouragement or moral correction. Isn’t it strange how sometimes, when you're struggling with something, a preacher comes on TV giving a homily on that same problem?! Too bad it happens when you do bad stuff, too.

In many churches and lecture halls, a homily is just a short message on a religious topic or moral issue that's meant to encourage those who hear it. Another type of homily, though, is one that's judgmental or condemning. If you hear a homily and feel better afterward, even if it delivers hard truths about right and wrong, you've heard an uplifting homily. One that leaves you mad and frustrated, however, might make you need another homily on forgiveness and self-control.

Definitions of homily
  1. noun
    a sermon on a moral or religious topic
    synonyms: preachment
    see moresee less
    type of:
    discourse, preaching, sermon
    an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
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