heterodox
Americanadjective
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not in accordance with established or accepted doctrines or opinions, especially in theology; unorthodox.
-
holding unorthodox doctrines or opinions.
adjective
-
at variance with established, orthodox, or accepted doctrines or beliefs
-
holding unorthodox opinions
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of heterodox
1610–20; < Greek heteródoxos of another opinion, equivalent to hetero- hetero- + dóx ( a ) opinion (Compare dokeîn to think, suppose) + -os adj. suffix
Explanation
Heterodox is from the Greek root words heteros, meaning "the other," and doxa, meaning "opinion." The adjective heterodox was first applied to people who held a different religious opinion from the standard beliefs and teachings. Today, although the religious meaning remains, the adjective heterodox can describe someone who adheres to any atypical beliefs, such as scientists who buck the current thinking or politicians who do not toe the party line. The word can be a synonym of heretical, which describes someone with contrary beliefs. If you are a teacher with a heterodox teaching style, you may win over students but alarm your more traditional colleagues.
Vocabulary lists containing heterodox
World Religions
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "H"
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Wuthering Heights
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
John Tomasi, president of Heterodox Academy, which advocates for viewpoint diversity on campus, suggested the curdled atmosphere at some schools reflects a failure to teach students to tolerate different views.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026
National free-speech advocacy groups such as the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, the Academic Freedom Alliance and Heterodox Academy have offered advice, support, coordination and some individual programs such as sponsored debates.
From Washington Post • Jul. 24, 2022
At Heterodox Academy, Sean Stevens and Jonathan Haidt have compiled a pretty comprehensive list of psychological differences between the sexes—there are plenty, not all point the same way and there are many caveats.
From Economist • Aug. 15, 2017
See Heterodox Academy for an organization doing this right.
From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2017
Heterodox, het′er-o-doks, adj. holding an opinion other or different from the one generally received, esp. in theology: heretical.—n.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
