noun
Uncommon
atheism
AY-thee-ih-zuhm
Atheism (noun) means the belief that no gods or deities exist, or the absence of belief in any deity. Example: “He converted from Catholicism to atheism in his twenties.”
noun
1
The belief that no gods or deities exist, or the absence of belief in any deity.
"Sacrificial religion becomes redundant – which is why Christianity did indeed have a reputation in the ancient world for atheism: it rejected the key duty humans are thought to owe to the gods, namely sacrifice."
— Ross Thompson, Buddhist Christianity: A Passionate Openness (2010)
"He converted from Catholicism to atheism in his twenties."
"Atheism has become more openly discussed in recent decades."
"Her father's atheism never stopped him enjoying the music at carol services."
How to use atheism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot believing that any god exists.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with agnosticism, which is uncertainty about whether a god exists rather than a firm denial.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- atheisms
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He converted from Catholicism to _____ in his twenties.
Etymology
From Middle French athéisme, from Greek atheos ("godless"), from a- ("without") + theos ("god").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for atheism
See all rhymes for atheism →Frequently asked questions
What does “atheism” mean?
The word “atheism” means the belief that no gods or deities exist, or the absence of belief in any deity. In plain terms, not believing that any god exists.
How do you pronounce “atheism”?
“Atheism” is pronounced AY-thee-ih-zuhm (/ˈeɪ.θi.ɪ.zəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “atheism” in a sentence?
Here is “atheism” used in a sentence: “He converted from Catholicism to atheism in his twenties.”
What part of speech is “atheism”?
“Atheism” is a noun.
Where does the word “atheism” come from?
The word “atheism” comes from Middle French. From Middle French athéisme, from Greek atheos ("godless"), from a- ("without") + theos ("god").
Is “atheism” a common word?
“Atheism” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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