cynic
[ sin-ik ]
/ ˈsɪn ɪk /
noun
a person who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions and who disbelieves in or minimizes selfless acts or disinterested points of view.
(initial capital letter) one of a sect of Greek philosophers, 4th century b.c., who advocated the doctrines that virtue is the only good, that the essence of virtue is self-control, and that surrender to any external influence is beneath human dignity.
a person who shows or expresses a bitterly or sneeringly cynical attitude.
adjective
(initial capital letter) Also Cynical. of or relating to the Cynics or their doctrines.
Medicine/Medical Now Rare. resembling the actions of a snarling dog.
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RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
cymru, cymry, cynanche, cynewulf, cynghanedd, cynic, cynic spasm, cynical, cynically, cynicism, cynics
Origin of cynic
1540–50; < LatinCynicus < Greek Kynikós Cynic, literally, doglike, currish, equivalent to kyn- (stem of kýōn) dog + -ikos -ic
Related formsan·ti·cyn·ic, noun, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for cynic
British Dictionary definitions for cynic (1 of 2)
cynic
/ (ˈsɪnɪk) /
noun
a person who believes the worst about people or the outcome of events
adjective
a less common word for cynical
astronomy of or relating to Sirius, the Dog Star
Word Origin for cynic
C16: via Latin from Greek Kunikos, from kuōn dog
British Dictionary definitions for cynic (2 of 2)
Cynic
/ (ˈsɪnɪk) /
noun
a member of a sect founded by Antisthenes that scorned worldly things and held that self-control was the key to the only good
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for cynic
cynic
mid-16c., in reference to the ancient philosophy, from Greek kynikos "a follower of Antisthenes," literally "dog-like," from kyon (genitive kynos) "dog" (see canine). Supposedly from the sneering sarcasm of the philosophers, but more likely from Kynosarge "Gray Dog," name of the gymnasium outside ancient Athens (for the use of those who were not pure Athenians) where the founder, Antisthenes (a pupil of Socrates), taught. Diogenes was the most famous. Popular association even in ancient times was "dog-like" (Lucian has kyniskos "a little cynic," literally "puppy"). Meaning "sneering sarcastic person" is from 1590s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper