What does "atheist" mean?

1. (person without belief in gods) someone who does not believe in any gods. 2. (relating to atheism) describing something that relates to the belief that there are no gods.

atheist

n. · adj.

US //ˈeɪθiəst// UK //ˈeɪθɪˌɪst// athe·ist

1 person without belief in gods (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

someone who does not believe in any gods.

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

Example

He described himself as an atheist because he didn't find any evidence for a creator.

Example

The philosopher argued that being an atheist does not preclude a person from having a strong sense of morality or wonder at the universe.
- nonbeliever
- unbeliever
- theist
- believer
2 relating to atheism (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal Religion

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

relating to or characteristic of atheists or atheism.

Example

The author wrote several atheist books about science and logic.

Example

The movement gained momentum through various atheist manifestos that challenged the traditional role of the church in public life.
- atheistic
- non religious
- religious
- theistic

Origin

From Middle French athéiste (athée + -iste), from Latin atheos, from Ancient Greek ἄθεος (átheos, “godless, without god”), from ἀ- (a-, “without”) + θεός (theós, “god”).