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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.”

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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 notes

In 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

dogmas plural, dogmata plural

Test yourself on “dogma” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

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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."

Origin: Greek

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial