Word
skeptic
Phoneticsskep·tic, stress on the first syllable
/ˈskɛptɪk/
UK spelling · sceptic
Definitions
01a person who doubts
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English
n. someone who does not easily believe what they are told and wants proof before they accept something as true.
n. a person who maintains a questioning attitude toward claims or beliefs that are generally accepted by others.
“I was a skeptic at first, but the results of the experiment convinced me.”
“Even the most hardened skeptics were forced to admit that the new economic policy had produced measurable improvements in the local market.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'of'.
Pitfall
He is a skeptic about the new plan.
He is a skeptic of the new plan.
While 'about' is sometimes used, 'of' is the more standard preposition following the noun 'skeptic'.
Synonyms
02religious doubter
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Religion American English · Formal
n. someone who doubts the truth of religious beliefs or organized religion.
n. a person who questions or doubts the validity of religious doctrines or the existence of a deity.
“The book explores the history of religious skeptics in the nineteenth century.”
“The philosopher was known as a lifelong skeptic who challenged the church's influence on public education and scientific research.”
Synonyms
03doubting
B2 · Upper Intermediate American English
adj. having or showing doubt about something.
adj. expressing or characterized by a questioning or doubting attitude.
“She gave him a skeptic look when he said he would be home by midnight.”
“The committee remained skeptic regarding the feasibility of the project, despite the optimistic projections provided by the consultants.”
Teaching tip
In modern English, the adjective form 'skeptical' is much more common than using 'skeptic' as an adjective.
Real-World Examples
“For someone who is an AI skeptic who wants to turn all AI off, that’s fine, we’re not going to push you to use AI.” “Green parties lost out in the 2024 European elections, and the business-friendly centre-right now holds sway in a European Parliament where climate sceptics on the far-right also have a bigger say.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French sceptique (but with a pronunciation closer to that of the Greek etymon), or possibly directly from Late Latin scepticus (originally attested only in the plural Scepticī (“the sect of Skeptics”)), from Ancient Greek σκεπτικός (skeptikós, “thoughtful, inquiring”), from σκέπτομαι (sképtomai, “I consider”), compare to σκοπέω (skopéō, “I view, examine”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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