noun
infidel
IHN-fuh-dl
Infidel (noun) means a person who does not believe in a particular religion, especially as viewed by believers of that religion. Example: “Medieval crusaders used "infidel" to describe anyone outside their own faith.”
noun
1
A person who does not believe in a particular religion, especially as viewed by believers of that religion.
"Some Muslims are taught that non-Muslims are infidels and are to be shunned."
— George W. Braswell, Islam and America: Answers to the 31 Most-asked Questions (2005)
"Medieval crusaders used "infidel" to describe anyone outside their own faith."
adj
1
Rejecting or lacking a particular religious faith.
"The term was often used as an insult toward infidel nations."
How to use infidel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn unbeliever, from the point of view of a particular religion.
When to use it
Historically used, often with hostility, by one religious group to label outsiders; it now reads as dated or loaded language.
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Word forms
- Plural
- infidels
- Comparative
- more infidel
- Superlative
- most infidel
Fill the gap
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Medieval crusaders used "_____" to describe anyone outside their own faith.
Etymology
From Latin infidelis, "unfaithful," from in- ("not") plus fidelis ("faithful") — related to fidelity.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for infidel
See all rhymes for infidel →Frequently asked questions
What does “infidel” mean?
The word “infidel” means a person who does not believe in a particular religion, especially as viewed by believers of that religion. In plain terms, an unbeliever, from the point of view of a particular religion.
How do you pronounce “infidel”?
“Infidel” is pronounced IHN-fuh-dl (/ˈɪn.fə.dl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “infidel” in a sentence?
Here is “infidel” used in a sentence: “Medieval crusaders used "infidel" to describe anyone outside their own faith.”
What is another word for “infidel”?
Words with a similar meaning to “infidel” include unbeliever, nonbeliever, non-believer, disbeliever, kafir and akum.
What part of speech is “infidel”?
Depending on how it is used, “infidel” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “infidel” come from?
The word “infidel” comes from Latin. From Latin infidelis, "unfaithful," from in- ("not") plus fidelis ("faithful") — related to fidelity.
How many meanings does “infidel” have?
“Infidel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who does not believe in a particular religion, especially as viewed by believers of that religion.
