adj
agnostic
ag-NOS-tihk
Agnostic (adj) means believing it is impossible to know for certain whether God or gods exist. Example: “She describes herself as agnostic rather than atheist.”
adj
1
Believing it is impossible to know for certain whether God or gods exist.
"She describes herself as agnostic rather than atheist."
2
Not holding a firm opinion either way on something, especially a technical choice.
"The app is platform-agnostic and works on both phones and computers."
noun
1
A person who believes it can't be known for certain whether God exists.
"He grew up religious but became an agnostic in college."
How to use agnostic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that stays neutral — not claiming to know for sure whether God exists, or not favouring one option over another.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "atheist": an atheist actively denies God exists, while an agnostic simply says it can't be known for certain.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
agnostic about
platform-agnostic
religiously agnostic
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Word forms
- Plural
- agnostics
- Comparative
- more agnostic
- Superlative
- most agnostic
Fill the gap
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She describes herself as _____ rather than atheist.
Etymology
Coined in 1870 by the scientist Thomas Henry Huxley from Greek a- ("not") + gnostos ("known"), to describe someone who neither affirms nor denies the existence of God.
Class of 1870
agnostic joined the language around 1870.
See the full Class of 1870 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
gnostic
Related words
Rhymes for agnostic
See all rhymes for agnostic →Frequently asked questions
What does “agnostic” mean?
The word “agnostic” means believing it is impossible to know for certain whether God or gods exist. In plain terms, someone (or something) that stays neutral — not claiming to know for sure whether God exists, or not favouring one option over another.
How do you pronounce “agnostic”?
“Agnostic” is pronounced ag-NOS-tihk (/æɡˈnɑstɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “agnostic” in a sentence?
Here is “agnostic” used in a sentence: “She describes herself as agnostic rather than atheist.”
What part of speech is “agnostic”?
Depending on how it is used, “agnostic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “agnostic” come from?
The word “agnostic” dates back to around 1870 and comes from Greek. Coined in 1870 by the scientist Thomas Henry Huxley from Greek a- ("not") + gnostos ("known"), to describe someone who neither affirms nor denies the existence of God.
How many meanings does “agnostic” have?
“Agnostic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: believing it is impossible to know for certain whether God or gods exist.
What does "agnostic" mean?
Agnostic describes someone who believes it is impossible to know for certain whether God or gods exist — neither affirming nor denying, but holding that the question can't be settled with certainty.
What is the difference between agnostic and atheist?
An atheist does not believe a god exists. An agnostic takes a different position: that whether a god exists can't be known for certain either way. Someone can be both agnostic and atheist at the same time — agnostic about certainty, atheist about belief.
Can "agnostic" be used outside religion?
Yes. Outside religion, "agnostic" describes someone who deliberately avoids taking a firm position on a technical choice — for example, being "platform-agnostic" means working equally well regardless of which platform is used.
Is agnostic a noun or an adjective?
Both. As an adjective, it describes a belief or stance ("an agnostic view"). As a noun, it names a person who holds that belief ("she is an agnostic").
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