heresy
Heresy (noun) means a belief that goes against the official teachings of a religion. Example: “He was accused of heresy for questioning the church's doctrine.”
How to use heresy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA belief that clashes sharply with official or widely accepted views, originally in religion but now used more broadly.
Word forms
heresies plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was accused of _____ for questioning the church's doctrine.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek hairesis ("choice, school of thought"), via Old French heresie and Latin haeresis.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for heresy
See all rhymes for heresy →Frequently asked questions
What does “heresy” mean?
The word “heresy” means a belief that goes against the official teachings of a religion. In plain terms, a belief that clashes sharply with official or widely accepted views, originally in religion but now used more broadly.
How do you pronounce “heresy”?
“Heresy” is pronounced HEH-ruh-see (/ˈhɛɹəsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “heresy” in a sentence?
Here is “heresy” used in a sentence: “He was accused of heresy for questioning the church's doctrine.”
What part of speech is “heresy”?
“Heresy” is a noun.
Where does the word “heresy” come from?
The word “heresy” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek hairesis ("choice, school of thought"), via Old French heresie and Latin haeresis.
Is “heresy” a common word?
“Heresy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “heresy” have?
“Heresy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a belief that goes against the official teachings of a religion.