English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
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 notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who holds beliefs that go against accepted religious or mainstream views.

Easily confused with

Word forms

more heretic comparative, heretics plural, most heretic superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “heretic” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Related words

Rhymes for heretic

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.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial