heterodox
Americanadjective
-
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
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.
So have heterodox types like James Talarico, the Bible-quoting left-wing populist who won the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 6, 2026
Weiss took on the role after Paramount acquired her heterodox digital news platform the Free Press.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025
There's been a lot of talk recently about creating a more heterodox Democratic Party.
From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2025
As Catholic Herald’s Ed Condon explains, the Church opposes Freemasonry because of its secular focus and its role as a sanctuary for “those with heterodox ideas and agendas.”
From National Geographic ● Sep. 19, 2023
Priestley tells us that he "saw reason to embrace what is generally called the heterodox side of almost every question."
From Heroes of Science Chemists by Muir, M. M. Pattison (Matthew Moncrieff Pattison)
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.
