cardinal sin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, Literary, Religious, Figurative/General Use
Quick answer
What does “cardinal sin” mean?
A serious or fundamental transgression, especially one that breaks a core principle or rule.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A serious or fundamental transgression, especially one that breaks a core principle or rule.
A major offense against a widely held standard of conduct, often with grave consequences or social disapproval; a fundamental error in a particular field or activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally understood and used in its original religious and extended secular contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, the primary connotation is one of seriousness and foundational wrongness. It often implies the act is unforgivable or will lead to significant negative consequences within a specific context.
Frequency
Used with similar frequency in both BrE and AmE, primarily in writing, formal speech, and figurative language.
Grammar
How to Use “cardinal sin” in a Sentence
to commit the cardinal sin of [gerund/noun phrase]for [person/group], the cardinal sin is [noun phrase/gerund][action] is a cardinal sin in [field/context]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cardinal sin” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He made a cardinal error in his calculations.
- The report highlighted several cardinal failings in the system.
American English
- That was a cardinal mistake in their strategy.
- We must address the cardinal principles first.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"In consulting, the cardinal sin is overpromising and underdelivering to a client."
Academic
"In historical research, a cardinal sin is to present speculation as established fact."
Everyday
"For my grandmother, wasting food was a cardinal sin."
Technical
"In software engineering, committing hard-coded passwords to a public repository is a cardinal sin."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cardinal sin”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cardinal sin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cardinal sin”
- Confusing 'cardinal sin' with 'capital sin' (archaic/less common).
- Using it for minor mistakes, which weakens its impact (e.g., 'It's a cardinal sin to be two minutes late').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originates from Catholic theology, where 'cardinal' (from Latin 'cardo', meaning 'hinge') refers to the seven deadly sins that are the 'hinges' or foundations for other sinful behaviour.
Yes, it is very commonly used in a secular, metaphorical sense to mean a fundamental error or serious breach of protocol in any field (e.g., business, sports, arts).
In theology, the 'seven cardinal sins' (deadly sins) are categories of vice. A 'mortal sin' is a specific, grave act that destroys charity in a person. In secular use, they are often used synonymously to mean a very serious error.
Yes, especially when referring to the classic set of seven deadly sins or listing several fundamental errors in a field (e.g., 'The cardinal sins of project management include poor communication and scope creep').
A serious or fundamental transgression, especially one that breaks a core principle or rule.
Cardinal sin is usually formal, literary, religious, figurative/general use in register.
Cardinal sin: in British English it is pronounced ˈkɑː.dɪ.nəl sɪn, and in American English it is pronounced ˈkɑːr.dɪ.nəl sɪn. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the seven deadly sins (cardinal sins)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CARDinal (the high-ranking bishop) pointing out the most SERIOUS SIN. 'Cardinal' also means 'fundamental'—it's a fundamental, rule-breaking error.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORAL FAILURE IS A STAIN/WEIGHT; SERIOUS ERRORS ARE SINS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cardinal sin' LEAST likely to be used literally?