Secular
/ˈsɛkjʊlər/
Definitions
2 meaningsDenoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.
/ˈsɛkjʊlər/
Not connected with religious or spiritual matters.
The secular state guarantees freedom of religion.
💡 Simply: Imagine a school that doesn't teach about any particular religion – that's secular. It's about things that aren't connected to religion.
👶 For kids: Not about God or church. It's about things that are not religious.
More Examples
Secular music often focuses on themes of love and life.
The museum houses secular art, not religious artifacts.
How It's Used
"The government maintains a secular stance on religious issues."
"The school provides a secular education, focusing on academics rather than religious instruction."
Pertaining to the world or temporal affairs; not concerned with religion.
/ˈsɛkjʊlər/
Relating to worldly matters; not spiritual.
Secular literature focuses on everyday life and experiences.
💡 Simply: If something is secular, it’s about this life and not about religion or the afterlife. Think about things like science, law, or art – they can all be secular topics.
👶 For kids: Things that are about the world and not about heaven or God.
More Examples
The secular curriculum did not include religious instruction.
The country is governed by secular laws.
How It's Used
"The law focuses on secular matters such as property and contracts."
"Secular humanism emphasizes human values without reliance on religion."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
secular society
A society in which religious beliefs and practices have a limited role or influence.
"A secular society often prioritizes individual freedoms and rights."
secular state
A state that is officially neutral in matters of religion, neither supporting nor opposing any particular religion.
"A secular state guarantees freedom of religion to its citizens."
From Latin *saecularis* ('worldly, temporal'), derived from *saeculum* ('age, generation, century'). It originally referred to things related to the present time, as opposed to the eternal or spiritual.
The term gained prominence during the Enlightenment and the rise of nation-states, reflecting a shift away from the dominance of religious institutions.
Memory tip
Think of the 'secular' world as the one outside of churches, temples, or religious institutions.
Word Origin
"worldly, temporal"