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
At the dawn of research into what is now known as HIV/AIDS, Duesberg took the heterodox view that HIV was a harmless virus that had nothing to do with AIDS.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026
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
One of the funniest was the signing one of his heterodox publications as the Archbishop of Canterbury, a lie which may remind us of the drunken Sheridan announcing himself as William Wilberforce.
From Voltaire: A Sketch of his Life and Works by Foote, G. W. (George William)
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.
