Orthodoxy Meaning
/ˈɔːθədɒksi/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounCorrectness of doctrine and belief in regard to any doctrinal (i.e. philosophical or theological) system.
nounConformity to established and accepted beliefs (usually of religions).
Sentence Examples
Saint Augustine's "Confessions" tells a timeless tale of intellectual search ending in orthodoxy.
New Age ideas are a refreshing alternative to the staid orthodoxy of traditional Christianity.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The priest strongly believed in the ____ of the church and rejected new ideas.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist challenged the prevailing ____ by presenting data that contradicted accepted theories.
Word Origin & History
From Ancient Greek ὀρθοδοξία (orthodoxía), from ὀρθός (orthós, “correct”) + δόξα (dóxa, “way, opinion”). By surface analysis, orthodox + -y.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…] these tributes studiously ignore another aspect of his life: how, throughout his later career, Mr. Rustin repeatedly challenged progressive orthodoxies."
— 2023 December 9, James Kirchick, “Bayard Rustin Challenged Progressive Orthodoxies”, in The New York Times:
"Orthodoxy of any kind, any pretense that a system of ideas is final and must be unquestioningly accepted as a whole, is the one view which of necessity antagonizes all intellectuals, whatever their views on particular issues."
— 1949, F. A. Hayek, “The Intellectuals and Socialism”, in University of Chicago Law Review, volume 16, number 3, Chicago: University of Chicago, →DOI, page 431:
"The Satan of the mystery plays was a Trickster, but a dignified one. Performances were sanctioned only for religious festival occasions, and both Church and town authorities saw to it that the guildsmen did not stray far from orthodoxy in their dramatic enthusiasm. This need to adhere to scriptural and traditional accounts of Satan constrained dramatic innovation in his long-established character."
— 1983, Wendy Griswold, “The Devil's Techniques: Cultural Legitimation and Social Change”, in American Sociological Review, volume 48, number 5, page 671a of 668–680:
"The two concepts are so distinct within Christianity that they have different names — orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right conduct)."
— 2024 July 31, David French, “Some Think What You Preach Matters More Than What You Do. It Doesn’t.”, in The New York Times:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The priest strongly believed in the ____ of the church and rejected new ideas.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist challenged the prevailing ____ by presenting data that contradicted accepted theories.