orthodoxy
Americannoun
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orthodoxies
plural
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orthodox belief or practice.
-
orthodox character.
noun
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orthodox belief or practice
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the quality of being orthodox
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of orthodoxy
1620–30; < Late Latin orthodoxia < Greek orthodoxía right opinion, equivalent to orthódox ( os ) ( see orthodox) + -ia -y 3
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How does orthodoxy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A widely accepted belief or theory is an orthodoxy. You could call the scientific theory of gravity an orthodoxy, since it's generally considered to be an established fact. The word orthodoxy comes from the Greek root words orthos, which means right, true or straight, and doxa, opinion. So orthodoxy describes the one true opinion. The noun orthodoxy, pronounced "OR-thuh-dock-see," is most commonly used to talk about religious beliefs. When you conform to the orthodoxy of a particular religion, you follow its accepted doctrines, like a Christian's belief in an all-powerful God.
Vocabulary lists containing orthodoxy
"Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell
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Darius the Great Is Not Okay
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"American Flag Stands for Tolerance" by Ronald J. Allen
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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.
See Examples For:
Measured in volatility, the S&P 500 over that period has been less “risky,” just as Wall Street orthodoxy would suggest.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
The connection is certain, and the pairing of congregational decline with theological fading seems to have opened the door to a new youth-driven demand for orthodoxy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
But there is no shortage of evangelists who will point to Musk's staggering ability to raise money, challenge orthodoxy and prove his doubters wrong.
From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026
“But the First Amendment stands as a shield against any effort to enforce orthodoxy in thought or speech in this country.”
From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2026
Talking to her, he realized how easy it was to present an appearance of orthodoxy while having no grasp whatever of what orthodoxy meant.
From "1984" by George Orwell
One by one, the authors attempt to demolish the orthodoxies of space enthusiasts.
From Slate ● Dec. 9, 2025
There are no political, religious or secularist orthodoxies or litmus tests.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 30, 2025
What Field admired was Powell's willingness to challenge his own party's leadership and orthodoxies - even if it effectively removed him from office.
From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2024
"We can't be so mean to one another," he told the audience, noting that all conservatives who challenge GOP orthodoxies are taking risks.
From Salon ● Nov. 21, 2022
When 'tis too gross, Robbery's rash, but austere orthodoxies Countenance such things as modern match-boxes Nine-farthings a gross!
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, December 13, 1890 by Various
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
