What does sin mean?
Sin is a noun and verb with a strong religious and moral association. As a noun, it refers to an action or condition that violates divine law, ethical principles, or religious teachings. As a verb, it means to commit such a violation. The word is especially prominent in Christian theology, where sin may be understood not only as individual wrongdoing but also as a broader condition affecting humanity, as in the expression “original sin.” Outside explicitly religious contexts, “sin” can describe serious moral faults, often with dramatic emphasis: a betrayal might be called a sin. The word can also appear in fixed expressions such as “commit a sin,” “deadly sin,” and “the sin of omission.” Because “sin” carries a traditional and often accusatory implication, careful speakers may prefer “wrongdoing” or “transgression” in neutral or formal contexts.
An act or state of wrongdoing considered morally or religiously wrong.
"Theft was regarded as a grave sin in the community."
In religious writing, the term often refers specifically to violation of divine law; in general usage, it can emphasize a serious moral fault.
To commit an act that violates divine or moral law.
"He refused to sin against his family."
This use is most strongly associated with religious or moral discourse, though it also occurs in figurative language.
The plural is used for individual acts or instances of wrongdoing, and figuratively for the accumulated moral faults of a person or society.
"The sermon focused on the sins of pride and greed."
In Christian theology, sin is not merely a bad deed: it is also a condition of wrongdoing that separates human beings from God.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of sin
The English word descends from Old English synn, meaning “evil, wrongdoing, or offense.” It was borrowed from Latin, where the cognate term peccatum referred to a sin or moral fault. The modern English form developed through Old English and Middle English usage, with the religious sense established long before the word was applied in broader moral language.
Related word forms
How sin is actually used
The word is especially common in religious contexts, but it is also widely used metaphorically for serious moral wrongdoing. In formal writing, it may sound more emphatic than “wrongdoing” or “transgression.” As a verb, it is usually followed by an object or an infinitive construction, as in “to sin against God.”
Easily confused with sin
A crime is an act prohibited by criminal law, whereas sin is judged primarily by moral or religious standards, although a crime may also be considered sinful.