C1adjective5K

Secular

UK /["/ˈsekjələ(r)/"]/US /["/ˈsekjələr/"]/

Definition

not connected with spiritual or religious matters

In simple words: Not religious; related to the non-religious part of life.

Examples

  • secular music
  • We live in a largely secular society.

Usage notes

Used in discussions about religion, philosophy, and public policy. Appropriate in academic and adult conversations; avoid in casual religious discussions.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'secular' as 'separate from the church'.

Collocations

  • be
  • completely
  • entirely
  • purely

Synonyms

  • nonreligious
  • temporal
  • worldly
  • profane

Antonyms

  • religious
  • sacred

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'sacred' which means religious or holy.
  • Using 'secular' to describe something religious.
  • Mispronouncing 'secular' as 'sec-lar' instead of 'sek-ular'.