What does dogmata mean?
Dogmata is the plural of dogma, denoting principles or doctrines that an authority — religious, philosophical, political, or scientific — presents as settled and not open to dispute. A church may define its core dogmata; a school of economics may rest on certain dogmata about markets and human behaviour. The word comes from the Greek dogma, meaning 'opinion' or 'that which seems true', and retains the Greek-style plural ending shared with words like 'stigmata' and 'automata', though the simpler anglicized plural 'dogmas' is far more frequent in everyday use. Because dogmata are, by definition, positions insulated from challenge, the term often carries a faintly pejorative shade in secular contexts: to call something a dogma is frequently to imply that it deserves more scepticism than it receives. Writers who choose 'dogmata' over 'dogmas' usually do so for scholarly precision or deliberate formality.
nounDogmata is a plural form of 'dogma', referring to established principles, doctrines, or tenets held as authoritative by a religion, philosophy, school of thought, or institution.
- Established principles or doctrines laid down as incontrovertibly true by an authority such as a church, school of thought, or discipline.
"The professor encouraged students to question the dogmata of classical economics rather than accept them uncritically."
"The council reaffirmed the central dogmata of the faith at its annual gathering."
"Modern science advances precisely by refusing to treat old dogmata as beyond question."
As a Greek-derived plural, 'dogmata' takes plural verbs ('the dogmata are'). The alternative plural 'dogmas' is more common in general usage.
"These dogmata have shaped Western thought for centuries."
While most people say 'dogmas', English quietly kept the original Greek plural alive: one dogma, several dogmata — just like data from datum.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dogmata
Dogmata derives from the Greek noun dogma (genitive dogmatos), meaning 'opinion, belief, decree', itself formed from the verb dokein, 'to think, seem, be of the opinion'. The word passed into Latin and then into English in the early modern period alongside related formations such as 'dogmatic' and 'dogmatism'. Its plural ending -ata reflects the original Greek neuter plural, preserved as in 'data' and 'stigmata', though English speakers more often use the regularized plural 'dogmas'.
Related word forms
How dogmata is actually used
'Dogmata' is markedly less common than the anglicized plural 'dogmas' and tends to appear in academic, theological, or deliberately elevated writing. It is fully standard, however, and follows the same Latin/Greek plural pattern as 'data', 'stigmata', and 'automata'. The word often carries a slightly critical connotation, suggesting rigid or unquestioned belief.
Easily confused with dogmata
Both are plural forms of 'dogma'; 'dogmas' is the anglicized and more common plural, while 'dogmata' uses the Greek-derived plural ending and carries a more scholarly or formal tone.