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irreligion

[ir-i-lij-uh n]
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noun
  1. lack of religion.
  2. hostility or indifference to religion; impiety.
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Origin of irreligion

First recorded in 1585–95, irreligion is from the Latin word irreligiōn- (stem of irreligiō). See ir-2, religion
Related formsir·re·li·gion·ist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

nihilisminfidelitydisbeliefunbeliefimpietydoubtheresyskepticismirreverencepaganismfreethinkingiconoclasmirreligion

Examples from the Web for irreligion

Historical Examples

  • Yet the irreligion of the West was painted darker than it really was.

    Union and Democracy

    Allen Johnson

  • Yet let no one think that irreligion is advocated in this book.

    Lavengro

    George Borrow

  • Something was said, too, that I could not catch, about her irreligion.

  • We have, that is to say, been swayed by the spirit of irreligion rather than of religion.

  • To his violences of temper he added a reputation for irreligion.

British Dictionary definitions for irreligion

irreligion

noun
  1. lack of religious faith
  2. indifference or opposition to religion
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Derived Formsirreligionist, noun
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

Word Origin and History for irreligion

n.

1590s, from Late Latin irreligionem (nominative irreligio) "irreligion, impiety," from assimiliated form of in- "not" (see in- (1)) + religio (see religion).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper