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Definition of nunnery

nunnery

/ˈnʌn.ə.ɹi/
nun · ner · y
Plural:nunneries
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nunnery Lexical Profile

nunnery Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A building or complex of buildings housing a community of nuns, or the religious community itself; a convent.

Example

"The medieval nunnery was renowned for its illuminated manuscripts and charitable work in the surrounding village."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for nunnery

Word Nuance & Usage

In modern religious contexts, 'convent' or 'monastery' is generally preferred over 'nunnery'. In Early Modern English—most famously in Shakespeare's *Hamlet*—'nunnery' was also used as slang for a brothel.

• Rhymes for nunnery

• Nearby Words

nunchucks
nungnung
nunlet
nunnery
nuorilang
nuphar
nuptial

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'nonnerie', borrowed from Anglo-Norman 'nonnerie', from 'nonne' (nun), ultimately from Late Latin 'nonna'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nunnery. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nunnery
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