adj
secular
SEHK-yuu-luh
adj
1
Not connected to religion; concerned with worldly rather than spiritual matters.
"The country has a secular constitution that separates church and state."
"She attended a secular university rather than a religious one."
2
Of a member of the clergy: living among ordinary people rather than under monastic vows.
"Secular priests serve local parishes rather than living in a monastery."
How to Use Secular
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNon-religious — dealing with everyday, worldly life rather than church or faith.
Common mistake
Secular does not mean anti-religious; it simply means separate from religious authority or concerns.
Common pairings
secular society
secular state
secular education
Word Forms
more secular comparative, seculars plural, Seculars plural, most secular superlative
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The country has a _____ constitution that separates church and state.
Etymology
From Latin saecularis, "of an age or generation," from saeculum ("age, generation"). The Church originally used it to mean "of this present world," as opposed to eternal or spiritual matters.