humanist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “humanist” mean?
A person who believes in the value of human beings, their agency, and ethical responsibility, often without belief in a god, and who emphasizes rational thought and human welfare.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who believes in the value of human beings, their agency, and ethical responsibility, often without belief in a god, and who emphasizes rational thought and human welfare.
A scholar or student of the humanities (classical literature, history, philosophy). A proponent of a system of thought based on human values and potential rather than religious doctrine.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical in both varieties, though 'Humanist' (capitalized) is more common in official titles of organizations (e.g., British Humanist Association, American Humanist Association).
Connotations
Similar connotations of secularism, rationalism, and ethics. May carry slightly stronger historical/literary association in UK contexts due to the Renaissance humanist tradition.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US discourse related to secular activism and the 'secular humanism' cultural debate.
Grammar
How to Use “humanist” in a Sentence
humanist + noun (humanist philosopher)adjective + humanist (secular humanist)humanist + preposition (humanist in outlook)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “humanist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form. 'Humanistically' is rare and non-standard]
American English
- [No standard adverb form. 'Humanistically' is rare and non-standard]
adjective
British English
- Her humanist beliefs led her to choose a non-religious naming ceremony.
- The university has a strong humanist tradition dating from the Enlightenment.
American English
- The school board debated the humanist approach to moral education.
- He offered a humanist critique of the policy's underlying assumptions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in corporate ethics discussions promoting 'humanist management styles'.
Academic
Common in history, philosophy, literature, and religious studies departments.
Everyday
Used in discussions about ethics, religion, and ceremonies (e.g., 'We're having a humanist wedding').
Technical
Specific in philosophy (moral philosophy) and historical studies (Renaissance humanism).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “humanist”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “humanist”
- Confusing 'humanist' with 'humanitarian' (the latter is focused on alleviating suffering).
- Using 'humanist' as a direct synonym for 'kind person'.
- Misspelling as 'humanistist'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. While secular humanists are typically non-theistic, some religious humanists integrate humanist principles with their faith, focusing on human agency and ethics within a religious framework.
A humanist holds a specific philosophical worldview centered on human reason and ethics. A humanitarian is someone actively engaged in promoting human welfare and reducing suffering; they may or may not subscribe to humanist philosophy.
Yes. A 'humanist' can be a scholar specializing in the humanities (literature, languages, history, philosophy). This usage is common in academia, e.g., 'digital humanist'.
Yes. Capitalized 'Humanism' or 'Humanist' often refers to the specific organized secular movement or the historical Renaissance movement, while lower-case can refer to the general outlook.
A person who believes in the value of human beings, their agency, and ethical responsibility, often without belief in a god, and who emphasizes rational thought and human welfare.
Humanist is usually formal, academic in register.
Humanist: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhjuːmənɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhjuːmənɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'humanist']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Human-ist' – an '-ist' who focuses on 'human' values, not divine ones.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMANITY IS THE CENTRE (vs. deity-centred).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the LEAST likely to be a primary concern for a modern humanist?