# secular

/ˈsɛkjəɫɝ/ (US) · /sˈɛkjʊlɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. non-religious

adjective · CEFR B2

not connected with religious or spiritual matters.

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

- The country has a secular government that does not favour any specific religion.
- In many modern democracies, the separation of church and state ensures that secular law remains independent of theological doctrine.

### 2. long-term

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

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

### 3. ancient

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary

existing for many centuries.

For teachers: having existed for ages or centuries; ancient in origin.

- The secular oaks had stood in the forest since before the kingdom was founded.
- The poet reflected on the secular traditions of the valley, which had remained unchanged despite the rise and fall of numerous empires.

### 4. a non-religious person

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- The council was made up of both high-ranking priests and respected seculars.
- The historical document distinguishes between the rights of the monastic orders and those of the seculars living within the city walls.

## Examples

- The country has a secular government that treats all religions equally.
- While the holiday has religious roots, many people celebrate it in a purely secular way by sharing a meal with friends.
- The transition from a theological to a secular legal framework allowed for a more pluralistic society where civil rights were not contingent upon religious affiliation.

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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.