Everyday · Philosophy & belief
Agnostic: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Agnostic noun. A person who believes that whether God exists cannot be known, or who is undecided about it.
How to say it
ag-NOS-tik/aɡˈnɒstɪk/
3 syllables, stressed on the second (NOS). Forms: agnostics, agnosticism.
Meanings
- A person who believes that whether God exists cannot be known, or who is undecided about it.
- As an adjective, not committed to one option, as in a device that works with any system.
Agnostic in a sentence
Raised by a vicar and a scientist, she grew up a cheerful agnostic.
The new charger is brand agnostic: it works with every phone in the house.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- doubter
- sceptic
- freethinker
Opposite:
- believer
Where agnostic comes from
Coined in 1869 by the biologist T. H. Huxley, from Greek agnōstos, unknown.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The new charger is brand _____: it works with every phone in the house.
- paralogism
- dogma
- agnostic
Show the answer
agnostic: The new charger is brand agnostic: it works with every phone in the house.