orthodox

[ awr-thuh-doks ]
See synonyms for orthodox on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. of, relating to, or conforming to the approved form of any doctrine, philosophy, ideology, etc.

  2. of, relating to, or conforming to beliefs, attitudes, or modes of conduct that are generally approved.

  1. customary or conventional, as a means or method; established.

  2. sound or correct in opinion or doctrine, especially theological or religious doctrine.

  3. conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds of the early church.

  4. Orthodox,

    • of, relating to, or designating the Eastern Church, especially the Greek Orthodox Church.

    • of, relating to, or characteristic of Orthodox Jews or Orthodox Judaism.

Origin of orthodox

1
First recorded in 1575–85; from Late Latin orthodoxus “right in religion,” from Late Greek orthódoxos, equivalent to ortho- ortho- + dóx(a) “belief, opinion” + -os adjective suffix

Other words for orthodox

Other words from orthodox

  • or·tho·dox·ly, adverb
  • or·tho·dox·ness, noun
  • an·ti·or·tho·dox, adjective
  • an·ti·or·tho·dox·ly, adverb
  • hy·per·or·tho·dox, adjective
  • non·or·tho·dox, adjective
  • non·or·tho·dox·ly, adverb
  • pro-or·tho·dox, adjective
  • sem·i·or·tho·dox, adjective
  • sem·i·or·tho·dox·ly, adverb
  • ul·tra·or·tho·dox, adjective
  • un·or·tho·dox, adjective

Words Nearby orthodox

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use orthodox in a sentence

  • A burning controversy between the Averroists and the orthodox schoolmen.

  • Lady Maude sat alone in her room; the white robes upon her, the orthodox veil, meant to shade her fair face thrown back from it.

    Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry Wood
  • Each essays to think, appear and speak as nearly according to the orthodox standard of Womanhood as possible.

    Glances at Europe | Horace Greeley
  • Or were they merely orthodox through a more uneven balancing of their qualities, the animal in abeyance?

    Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
  • I rather fear, major, that your method of comforting me is not what the missionary would call orthodox.

    Hunting the Lions | R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for orthodox (1 of 2)

orthodox

/ (ˈɔːθəˌdɒks) /


adjective
  1. conforming with established or accepted standards, as in religion, behaviour, or attitudes

  2. conforming to the Christian faith as established by the early Church

Origin of orthodox

1
C16: via Church Latin from Greek orthodoxos, from orthos correct + doxa belief

Derived forms of orthodox

  • orthodoxly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for Orthodox (2 of 2)

Orthodox

/ (ˈɔːθəˌdɒks) /


adjective
  1. of or relating to the Orthodox Church of the East

  2. (sometimes not capital)

    • of or relating to Orthodox Judaism

    • (of an individual Jew) strict in the observance of Talmudic law and in personal devotions

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012