noun
Uncommon
dogma
DOG-muh
Dogma (noun) means a belief or principle put forward as absolute truth, expected to be accepted without question. Example: “The new manager challenged the old dogma that meetings had to happen every Monday.”
noun
1
A belief or principle put forward as absolute truth, expected to be accepted without question.
"The new manager challenged the old dogma that meetings had to happen every Monday."
"Religious dogma shaped much of the town's social life."
How to use dogma
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fixed belief that people are expected to accept as true without questioning it.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "dogmatic" (the adjective describing someone who insists on dogma) — "dogma" itself is the noun for the belief.
Common pairings
religious dogma
political dogma
challenge the dogma
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Word forms
- Plural
- dogmas, dogmata
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The new manager challenged the old _____ that meetings had to happen every Monday.
Etymology
From Greek dogma, "opinion, tenet," from a verb meaning "to seem good, to think."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “dogma” mean?
The word “dogma” means a belief or principle put forward as absolute truth, expected to be accepted without question. In plain terms, a fixed belief that people are expected to accept as true without questioning it.
How do you pronounce “dogma”?
“Dogma” is pronounced DOG-muh (/ˈdɔɡ.mə/ in IPA).
How do you use “dogma” in a sentence?
Here is “dogma” used in a sentence: “The new manager challenged the old dogma that meetings had to happen every Monday.”
What part of speech is “dogma”?
“Dogma” is a noun.
Where does the word “dogma” come from?
The word “dogma” comes from Greek. From Greek dogma, "opinion, tenet," from a verb meaning "to seem good, to think.".
Is “dogma” a common word?
“Dogma” is an uncommon word in modern English.
