English vocabulary · C1
Agnostic
/aegˈnɑːstɪk/ · adj., n.
Agnostic means you do not say yes or no about God. You think there is not enough proof, so you wait before you choose an answer.
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Example sentences
- Lena is agnostic about God.
- He stayed agnostic without clear proof.
Word origin and roots
from Greek
- a — not (from Greek)
- gnost — know (from Greek)
Synonyms and nuances
- UNCERTAIN — not sure (Not Sure)
- DOUBTFUL — not fully sure (Need Proof)
- UNSURE — not knowing (No Clear Answer)
Words with the same root
gnost — know
- diagnosis — finding what is wrong
- prognostic — showing what may happen
- diagnostic — used to find a problem
Lesson notes
Agnostic means you do not say yes or no about God. You think there is not enough proof, so you wait before you choose an answer.
Related: uncertain, doubtful, unsure. Use agnostic when you do not claim to know.
Lena is agnostic about God. He stayed agnostic without clear proof.
From Greek. a- means not. gnost- means know. Not knowing, an agnostic waits for proof.