orthodox

American  

[awr-thuh-doks] / ˈɔr θəˌdɒks /

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 British  

/ 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 British  

/ 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

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

Etymology

Origin of orthodox

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

Example Sentences

Although not a winger in the orthodox sense, Busby Babe Eddie Colman was nicknamed 'snake hips' for his ability to change direction at top speed.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

“A sputtering 60/40 rebalancing engine may allow for a more orthodox context for bond / equity correlations, and higher diversification and hedging benefits of long duration positions in portfolios,” they say.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 9, 2026

Ver had initially gone the orthodox route of hiring tax attorneys from a prestigious law firm, Steptoe.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

Mr. Leiter, who earned orthodox rabbinical ordination, breaks into a homily connecting his son Moshe to the biblical original, Moses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

Ella had started studying under Boston orthodox Muslims, then she founded a school where Arabic was taught!

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey