What does "secular" mean?

1. (non-religious) not connected with religious or spiritual matters. 2. (long-term) happening or changing very slowly over a long period of time. 3. (ancient) existing for many centuries. 4. (a non-religious person) someone who is not a member of the clergy or a religious order.

How do you use "secular"?

In technical contexts, this adjective usually precedes the noun it modifies.

secular

adj. · n.

US //ˈsɛkjəɫɝ// UK //sˈɛkjʊlɐ// sec·u·lar

1 non-religious (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

not connected with religious or spiritual matters.

denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis; distinct from the clergy.

Example

The country has a secular government that does not favour any specific religion.

Example

In many modern democracies, the separation of church and state ensures that secular law remains independent of theological doctrine.
2 long-term (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

happening or changing very slowly over a long period of time.

of or relating to long-term trends or fluctuations that are not periodic; persisting over centuries or ages.

Example

Scientists are studying the secular cooling of the planet over millions of years.

Example

The secular variation in the Earth's magnetic field is a gradual process that requires centuries of data to map accurately.

Usage

In technical contexts, this adjective usually precedes the noun it modifies.
- long term
- enduring
- short term
- temporary

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3 ancient (adj.)
C2 Proficiency Literary

existing for many centuries.

having existed for ages or centuries; ancient in origin.

Example

The secular oaks had stood in the forest since before the kingdom was founded.

Example

The poet reflected on the secular traditions of the valley, which had remained unchanged despite the rise and fall of numerous empires.
- ancient
- age old
- modern
- recent
4 a non-religious person (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Religion

someone who is not a member of the clergy or a religious order.

a person who is not bound by monastic vows or clerical rules; a layman.

Example

The council was made up of both high-ranking priests and respected seculars.

Example

The historical document distinguishes between the rights of the monastic orders and those of the seculars living within the city walls.
- layman
- layperson
- cleric
- monk

Origin

From Middle English seculer, from Old French seculer, from Latin saeculāris (“of the age”), from saeculum.

Word family

Nounsecularism
Adjectivesecular