orthodox

[awr-thuh-doks]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or conforming to the approved form of any doctrine, philosophy, ideology, etc.

2. of, relating to, or conforming to beliefs, attitudes, or modes of conduct that are generally approved.

3. customary or conventional, as a means or method; established.

   Synonyms: fixed, routine, commonplace, traditional

4. sound or correct in opinion or doctrine, especially theological or religious doctrine.

5. conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds of the early church.

6. Orthodox,

   1. of, relating to, or designating the Eastern Church, especially the Greek Orthodox Church.

   2. of, relating to, or characteristic of Orthodox Jews or Orthodox Judaism.

Orthodox

¹

/ ˈɔːθəˌdɒks /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Orthodox Church of the East

2. (sometimes not capital)

   1. of or relating to Orthodox Judaism

   2. (of an individual Jew) strict in the observance of Talmudic law and in personal devotions

orthodox

²

/ ˈɔːθəˌdɒks /

adjective

1. conforming with established or accepted standards, as in religion, behaviour, or attitudes

2. conforming to the Christian faith as established by the early Church

Other Word Forms

• orthodoxly adverb
• orthodoxness noun
• antiorthodox adjective
• antiorthodoxly adverb
• hyperorthodox adjective
• nonorthodox adjective
• nonorthodoxly adverb
• pro-orthodox adjective
• semiorthodox adjective
• semiorthodoxly adverb
• ultraorthodox adjective
• unorthodox adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of orthodox¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Late Latin orthodoxus “right in religion,” from Late Greek orthódoxos, equivalent to ortho- ortho- + dóx(a) “belief, opinion” + -os adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of orthodox¹

C16: via Church Latin from Greek orthodoxos, from orthos correct + doxa belief

Example Sentences

But it is not the orthodox political opposition – predictably crushed in local elections last week – that has mobilised frustrated young Togolese people.

From BBC

He tried to build a political coalition that is no longer a winning one, which was made up of majorities of African Americans, outer-borough white New Yorkers and orthodox and conservative Jews.

From Salon

"Bibi's" popularity in the polls plummeted and he struggled to keep together a disjointed government, propped up by hardline ministers from the far right and orthodox religious parties.

From BBC

Verreynne fluffed a ramp - UltraEdge showing he had in fact got some bat on it - before he delivered the winning moment in a more orthodox fashion on the drive.

From BBC

“I think the window into her history, into that orthodox culture that she has grown up in, probably helps you see what motivated that drive.”

From Los Angeles Times