sin
Sin (noun) means In religious terms, an act that breaks a moral or divine law. Example: “In many faiths, lying is considered a sin.”
How to use sin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wrongful act, especially one that breaks a moral or religious rule.
Word forms
- Singular
- sins
- Plural
- sins
- Past tense
- sinned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In many faiths, lying is considered a _____.
Etymology
From Old English synn ("sin, guilt"), traced back to a Germanic root connected to words for "truth" and "guilt" — likely originally meaning something like "being truly guilty" of a charge.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sin” mean?
The word “sin” means in religious terms, an act that breaks a moral or divine law. In plain terms, a wrongful act, especially one that breaks a moral or religious rule.
How do you pronounce “sin”?
“Sin” is pronounced SIHN (/ˈsɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “sin” in a sentence?
Here is “sin” used in a sentence: “In many faiths, lying is considered a sin.”
What part of speech is “sin”?
Depending on how it is used, “sin” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sin” come from?
The word “sin” comes from Old English. From Old English synn ("sin, guilt"), traced back to a Germanic root connected to words for "truth" and "guilt" — likely originally meaning something like "being truly guilty" of a charge.
Is “sin” a common word?
“Sin” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sin” have?
“Sin” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in religious terms, an act that breaks a moral or divine law.
What is the difference between a sin and a crime?
A sin is an act that breaks a moral or divine law and is judged in religious or ethical terms. A crime is an act that breaks the law of a country or state and can be punished by its legal system, so an act can be a sin, a crime, both, or neither.
What is the difference between 'sin' and 'vice'?
A sin is a specific act that breaks a moral or divine law, while a vice is a habitual bad behaviour or moral weakness. In short, a sin is usually a single wrongful act, whereas a vice is an ongoing fault or bad habit.
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