secular
14 synonyms and 21 antonyms for secular, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not connected to religion; concerned with worldly rather than spiritual matters.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use secular
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin saecularis, "of an age or generation," from saeculum ("age, generation"). The Church originally used it to mean "of this present world," as opposed to eternal or spiritual matters.
Full origin of secular →Frequently asked questions
What does “secular” mean?
The word “secular” means not connected to religion; concerned with worldly rather than spiritual matters. In plain terms, non-religious — dealing with everyday, worldly life rather than church or faith.
How do you pronounce “secular”?
“Secular” is pronounced SEHK-yuu-luh (/ˈsɛkjələɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “secular” in a sentence?
Here is “secular” used in a sentence: “The country has a secular constitution that separates church and state.”
What is another word for “secular”?
Words with a similar meaning to “secular” include areligious, civil, earthly, irreligious, laicist and laicistic.
What is the opposite of “secular”?
The opposite of “secular” — its antonyms — are eternal, everlasting, frequent, unpredictable and non-recurring.
What part of speech is “secular”?
“Secular” is an adjective.
Where does the word “secular” come from?
The word “secular” comes from Latin. From Latin saecularis, "of an age or generation," from saeculum ("age, generation"). The Church originally used it to mean "of this present world," as opposed to eternal or spiritual matters.
Is “secular” a common word?
“Secular” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
What is the difference between "secular" and "atheist"?
"Secular" describes something not connected to religion or kept separate from it, such as a secular school or government, while "atheist" describes a person who does not believe in any god. A secular institution can include religious people; it simply does not base its actions on religion.
What is the difference between "secular" and "religious"?
"Secular" and "religious" are opposites: "secular" concerns worldly matters and stays separate from faith, while "religious" relates directly to religion, belief, and worship. A wedding, for example, can be either secular, meaning civil, or religious, meaning held in a place of worship.
What is a "secular" priest?
In a church context, a "secular" priest is one who lives and works among ordinary people in the community rather than withdrawing into a monastery under monastic vows. This contrasts with "regular" clergy, such as monks, who live under the rule of a religious order.