# atheist

/ˈeɪθiəst/ (US) · /ˈeɪθɪˌɪst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/atheist
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. person without belief in gods

noun · CEFR B2

someone who does not believe in any gods.

For teachers: a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.

- He described himself as an atheist because he didn't find any evidence for a creator.
- The philosopher argued that being an atheist does not preclude a person from having a strong sense of morality or wonder at the universe.

### 2. relating to atheism

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describing something that relates to the belief that there are no gods.

For teachers: relating to or characteristic of atheists or atheism.

- The author wrote several atheist books about science and logic.
- The movement gained momentum through various atheist manifestos that challenged the traditional role of the church in public life.

## Examples

- He is an atheist and does not go to church on Sundays.
- As an atheist, she prefers secular wedding ceremonies that focus on human connection rather than religious traditions.
- The author identifies as a pragmatic atheist, arguing that morality must be grounded in human well-being and social cooperation rather than divine command.

---

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.