Another Word for Culture: 18 Synonyms with Examples
Culture means the customs, beliefs and arts of a group of people, the arts in general, or the shared attitudes in an organisation. Swap it to be more exact about which.
As a noun: the way of life of a group
- customs
- traditions
- heritage
- way of life
- lifestyle
- values
- society
- civilisation
As a noun: the arts
- the arts
- art
- literature
- music
- the humanities
As a noun: shared attitudes in a group
- ethos
- atmosphere
- climate
- spirit
- mindset
- values
Need a different word?Look up any word in the synonym finder →
How they differ
Synonyms share a meaning, not always a tone. Here is when to pick each of the main options.
- customs
- Particular practices a group follows, such as festivals or greetings.
- heritage
- Culture passed down from the past, often worth protecting.
- way of life
- Everyday habits and routines of a group; plain and informal.
- the arts
- Painting, music, theatre, dance and literature taken together.
- ethos
- The guiding spirit and beliefs of a school, company or movement.
- climate
- The general mood or attitudes in an organisation or society at a time.
Example sentences
- customs: Visitors should respect local customs, especially at religious sites.
- heritage: The festival celebrates the region's Celtic heritage.
- way of life: Fishing has been the islanders' way of life for centuries.
- the arts: The government has cut funding for the arts.
- ethos: The school's ethos is built on kindness and hard work.
- climate: There is a climate of fear in the office after the job cuts.
More from WordNet
Less common or more specialised words WordNet lists for other senses of “culture”. Check the meaning before you use one.
noun: acculturation
WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Used under the WordNet licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is another word for “culture”?
The most useful alternatives are “customs”, “traditions”, “heritage”, “way of life”, “lifestyle”. For the main sense (the way of life of a group), “customs” is usually the closest swap.
What is the difference between “customs” and “heritage”?
customs: Particular practices a group follows, such as festivals or greetings. heritage: Culture passed down from the past, often worth protecting.