litany

American  

[lit-n-ee] / ˈlɪt n i /

noun

plural

litanies

1. a ceremonial or liturgical form of prayer consisting of a series of invocations or supplications with responses that are the same for a number in succession.

2. the Litany, the supplication in this form in the Book of Common Prayer.

3. a recitation or recital that resembles a litany.

4. a prolonged or tedious account.

   We heard the whole litany of their complaints.

   Synonyms:

   enumeration, catalog, list

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litany British  

/ ˈlɪtənɪ /

noun

1. Christianity

   1. a form of prayer consisting of a series of invocations, each followed by an unvarying response

   2. the general supplication in this form included in the Book of Common Prayer

2. any long or tedious speech or recital

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litany Cultural  

1. In many religions, a ritual repetition of prayers. Usually a clergyman or singer chants a prayer, and the congregation makes a response, such as “Lord, have mercy.”

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Etymology

Origin of litany

before 900; < Late Latin litanīa < Late Greek litaneía litany, Greek: an entreating, equivalent to litan- (stem of litaínein, variant of litaneúein to pray) + -eia -y ³; replacing Middle English letanie, Old English letanīa < Medieval Latin, Late Latin, as above

Example Sentences

There’s a point to this litany of chaos.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

"There is a litany of online groups willing to do just about anything for the right price - and that's what we're seeing," Glantz says.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

“There’s so many different sides to Jackie,” she said, ticking off a litany: “She’s fierce, she’s gentle, she’s demanding. She’s nurturing. She’s a mother. She’s a warrior.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

“It’s just like a litany of problems,” said Kristen Hughes, another local real-estate broker.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Despite the litany of possible reasons, it was hard not to wonder if the fundamental core of education—the ability of teachers to teach and the ability of kids to learn—had gotten lost.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Related Words

• catalogue
• recitation
• repetition