noun
heretic
HEH-rih-tihk
Heretic (noun) means a person whose beliefs conflict with the official teachings of their religion. Example: “In medieval Europe, accused heretics could face severe punishment.”
noun
1
A person whose beliefs conflict with the official teachings of their religion.
"In medieval Europe, accused heretics could face severe punishment."
2
Someone who rejects widely accepted ideas or practices in any field.
"Early advocates of hand-washing in hospitals were treated as heretics by their peers."
How to use heretic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who holds beliefs that go against accepted religious or mainstream views.
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Word forms
- Plural
- heretics
- Comparative
- more heretic
- Superlative
- most heretic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In medieval Europe, accused _____ could face severe punishment.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek hairetikós ("able to choose"), via Old French eretique.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for heretic
emetic
poetic
genetic
kinetic
ascetic
diuretic
frenetic
magnetic
cosmetic
athletic
diabetic
pathetic
See all rhymes for heretic →
Frequently asked questions
What does “heretic” mean?
The word “heretic” means a person whose beliefs conflict with the official teachings of their religion. In plain terms, someone who holds beliefs that go against accepted religious or mainstream views.
How do you pronounce “heretic”?
“Heretic” is pronounced HEH-rih-tihk (/ˈhɛɹɪtɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “heretic” in a sentence?
Here is “heretic” used in a sentence: “In medieval Europe, accused heretics could face severe punishment.”
What is another word for “heretic”?
Words with a similar meaning to “heretic” include dissident, nonconformist, sectarian, separatist and withersake.
What part of speech is “heretic”?
“Heretic” is a noun.
Where does the word “heretic” come from?
The word “heretic” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek hairetikós ("able to choose"), via Old French eretique.
How many meanings does “heretic” have?
“Heretic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person whose beliefs conflict with the official teachings of their religion.
