Meaning & use
loas
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“loas” is a form of “loa”.
Meanings
nounpluralreligion
In Vodou, the spirits that believers serve and call on for help and guidance.
Grammar: Usually plural; the singular 'loa' is rare and mainly used by specialists.
Patterns
- serve the loas
- a loa (singular)
Drumming and dancing are ways of inviting the loas to be present.
Each family honors its own loas with offerings of food and drink.
In Vodou belief, the loas act as messengers between people and the creator.
nouncountabletechnical
A large South American tree with pale wood, or the light wood from it.
Grammar: Countable when referring to the tree; the wood is uncountable.
Patterns
- a loa tree
- made of loa
The loa grows in dry tropical forests of South America.
Craftspeople sometimes carve bowls from loa.
Word forms
| singular | loa |
|---|
Common combinations
- serve the loas
- Priests and priestesses serve the loas in ceremonies that last all night.
- honor the loas
- Families honor the loas with candles, flowers, and food.
- Vodou loas
- Books about Vodou loas explain each spirit's role and personality.
- the loas of the sea
- Fishermen ask the loas of the sea for a safe return.
Synonyms and how they differ
- spirit
- A general word for any non-physical being; 'loa' is specific to Vodou tradition.
- deity
- Used for gods in many religions; a loa is not usually thought of as a supreme god but as an intermediary spirit.
- orisha
- A spirit in Yoruba and related traditions; similar in role but belongs to a different religious system.
Word family
- Vodou noun
- The religion in which the loas are worshipped.
- Vodouist noun
- A person who follows Vodou and serves the loas.
Commonly confused: loas or lwa? loas or loa loa?
loas vs lwa
Another spelling of the same Haitian word, used in some academic writing; 'loas' is the form most English readers meet.
loas vs loa loa
A parasitic worm that causes eye disease; unrelated to the Vodou spirits despite the similar name.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'loas' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Loas' is a plural noun for Vodou spirits, so it fits sentence A. B treats it as a shop item, C uses a singular verb with a plural noun, and D invents a verb form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “loas”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.