What does agnostic mean?
An agnostic is a person who holds that the existence of God, or of any ultimate reality beyond human experience, is unknown and perhaps inherently unknowable. The term was coined in the nineteenth century by Thomas Henry Huxley, who wanted a word for those who insisted on intellectual honesty rather than claiming certainty they did not possess. Used as a noun, it names a person with this outlook; used as an adjective, it describes beliefs, attitudes, or positions marked by such principled doubt. In modern English the word has broadened beyond theology: people say they are 'agnostic' about political outcomes, business decisions, or scientific theories when they decline to commit without sufficient evidence. Agnosticism carries connotations of open-mindedness and epistemic humility rather than outright denial, distinguishing it from atheism, which actively rejects belief in God. Its flexibility makes it a valuable word for expressing measured uncertainty in both formal and casual contexts.
A person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God; a holder of this view regarding ultimate reality generally.
"A committed agnostic, she declined both the atheist's certainty and the believer's faith."
Usually applied to matters of religion or metaphysics, but sometimes extended to other areas of deep uncertainty.
Relating to or characterised by agnosticism; also used more broadly to mean noncommittal or undecided about something.
"He took an agnostic stance on whether artificial intelligence could ever become truly conscious."
When used outside religion, often appears in the phrase 'agnostic about' to signal suspended judgement rather than indifference.
Regular plural formation; refers to multiple individuals holding agnostic views.
"The panel included atheists, believers, and agnostics alike."
The word 'agnostic' was coined in the 19th century by Thomas Huxley — who reportedly modelled it on 'agnostic' to describe those who, unlike Gnostics, refused to claim knowledge they didn't have.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of agnostic
The word 'agnostic' was coined in 1869 by Thomas Henry Huxley at a meeting of the Metaphysical Society in London. He derived it from the Greek 'gnōstos', meaning 'known' or 'knowable', prefixed with the negative 'a-', so that an agnostic is literally one who does not profess knowledge of ultimate things. Huxley intended it as a deliberate contrast to 'Gnostic', the name for early Christian sects who claimed special spiritual knowledge. Related words sharing the Greek root include 'diagnosis' and 'prognosis'.
Related word forms
How agnostic is actually used
In everyday usage, 'agnostic' most often refers to religious uncertainty but is frequently extended metaphorically to mean undecided or noncommittal about any question ('I'm agnostic about the merger'). In technical contexts such as computing, it can also mean platform-independent ('hardware-agnostic'), though that sense belongs more to jargon than standard dictionary usage.
Easily confused with agnostic
An atheist asserts that God does not exist, whereas an agnostic holds that the existence of God is unknown or unknowable.