# atheism

/ˈeɪθiˌɪzəm/ (US) · /ˈeɪθɪˌɪzəm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/atheism
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. lack of belief in gods

noun · CEFR B2

the belief that no gods exist, or simply not having a belief in any gods.

For teachers: the critique and denial of metaphysical beliefs in God or spiritual beings; the absence of theistic belief.

- He discussed his atheism openly, explaining why he did not follow any religion.
- The philosopher argued that atheism is not necessarily a belief system itself, but rather a rejection of theistic claims due to lack of evidence.

Usage: Usually uncountable; often used without an article.

### 2. historical rejection of specific gods

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

in the past, this meant not believing in the specific gods of a certain society.

For teachers: the historical application of the term to those who rejected the state-sanctioned deities, even if they believed in other gods.

- In ancient times, people were sometimes accused of atheism for refusing to worship the local gods.
- Early Christians were ironically accused of atheism by Roman authorities because they denied the existence of the traditional pagan pantheon.

Teaching tip: This sense is archaic; modern learners should only use this word to mean a general lack of belief in any god.

## Examples

- Atheism is a common view in many modern countries.
- Her atheism did not stop her from respecting religious traditions.
- The rise of secularism in Europe has led to a significant increase in self-identified atheism among younger generations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.