ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sin

n. C / U
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈsɪn// sin

n. an action that breaks a religious or moral rule. You use this word when someone does something they believe is very wrong or offensive to God.

n. an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. Often used in a secular context to describe a serious fault or a violation of a moral code.


SIMPLE

Stealing is considered a sin in most religions.

CONTEXTUAL

The priest spoke about the importance of asking for forgiveness after committing a sin.

COMPLEX

In many literary traditions, the protagonist's downfall is precipitated by a single secret sin that they spend the rest of the narrative attempting to expiate through suffering and service.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

Transliteration of Akkadian 𒀭𒂗𒍪 (Sîn).

Etymology 2

From Cantonese 單 /单 (sin6) or 冼 (sin2).

Etymology 3

From Hebrew סִין.

Usage

Countable when referring to specific acts; uncountable when referring to the abstract concept of wrongdoing.

Idioms2 entries

© 2026 English Reference