What does atheist mean?
An atheist is a person who does not believe in the existence of God or gods. The term describes a stance on religious belief, ranging from a firm denial of any deity to a simple absence of belief, and it applies equally across cultures and religions — one may be an atheist with respect to all gods or to a particular conception of God. Atheism itself is not a religion or organized creed, although some atheists join secular or humanist communities. In everyday use, 'atheist' is a neutral descriptive noun, but because belief is deeply personal and often tied to identity and community, the word can carry strong emotional or polemical force in debate. It is frequently contrasted with 'theist' (a believer in god) and distinguished from 'agnostic' (one who holds that God's existence is unknown or unknowable). Understanding the word matters both for precise discussion of religion and philosophy and for interpreting social and political discourse about belief.
nounA person who does not believe that God or gods exist; someone who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of any deity.
- A person who disbelieves in, or denies the existence of, God or gods.
"As a committed atheist, she found no comfort in the chapel's rituals, though she admired their beauty."
"He was raised Catholic but became an atheist in his twenties after studying philosophy."
"In many countries, atheists still face legal and social discrimination."
Standard plural; used when referring to multiple individuals who lack belief in deities.
"The organization represents atheists from more than fifty countries."
The word 'atheist' began as a Greek insult — 'atheos' meant 'godless' — and for centuries it was a slur hurled at people whose beliefs simply differed from the accuser's.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of atheist
The word 'atheist' derives from the Greek 'atheos', meaning 'without gods' or 'godless', formed from the privative prefix 'a-' plus 'theos' ('god'). It passed into Latin as 'atheus' and entered English via French in the mid-16th century, initially used largely as a term of reproach against those accused of impiety or unorthodoxy rather than as a self-description. Related terms sharing the same Greek root include 'theism', 'pantheism', and 'deism', which all use the element 'theos' in different ways.
Related word forms
How atheist is actually used
The word is neutral in register but can carry strong emotional charge in religious contexts; some self-identified atheists prefer it as a plain descriptive label, while others distinguish between 'strong' atheism (asserting no gods exist) and 'weak' or negative atheism (merely lacking belief). Capitalized forms such as 'New Atheist' refer to specific modern movements rather than the general sense.
Easily confused with atheist
An atheist asserts or holds that there is no god, while an agnostic holds that God's existence is unknown or unknowable.
A theist believes in at least one god, whereas an atheist rejects belief in any deity.