monotheism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Academic, Religious
Quick answer
What does “monotheism” mean?
The belief that there is only one God.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The belief that there is only one God.
A theological doctrine or system (e.g., Judaism, Christianity, Islam) characterized by the belief in a single, supreme deity. Can also be used figuratively to describe an unwavering devotion to a single principle or idea.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Potential minor differences in collocation frequency due to regional religious demographics.
Connotations
Neutral, descriptive theological term in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday conversation, but standard in academic and religious discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “monotheism” in a Sentence
Monotheism is based on [the idea that...]Monotheism emerged in [ancient Israel].[A religion] practices monotheism.The central tenet of [Judaism] is monotheism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monotheism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No direct verb. Related: 'to monotheise' is extremely rare and non-standard.]
American English
- [No direct verb. Related: 'to monotheize' is extremely rare and non-standard.]
adverb
British English
- [No direct adverb. Conceptually expressed: 'They believe monotheistically.']
American English
- [No direct adverb. Conceptually expressed: 'The concept was interpreted monotheistically.']
adjective
British English
- The monotheistic tradition of Islam is clear.
- They studied monotheistic religions.
American English
- The monotheistic faiths share common roots.
- A monotheistic worldview.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific contexts like publishing (religious texts) or NGO work related to interfaith dialogue.
Academic
Common in Religious Studies, Theology, Anthropology, and History.
Everyday
Rare; used in discussions about religion or worldviews.
Technical
Standard term in theology and comparative religion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monotheism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monotheism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monotheism”
- Pronunciation: Misplacing stress on 'the' (/θiː/) syllable.
- Spelling: Confusing 'mono-' with 'mono-' and misspelling as 'monotheistism'.
- Usage: Using as a countable noun (e.g., 'a monotheism'). It is uncountable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Monotheism is the belief system (one God). Christianity is a specific monotheistic religion that includes this belief along with other doctrines.
Yes, though it's academic or literary. It can describe an exclusive focus on one idea or principle, e.g., 'the monotheism of consumer culture'.
Monotheism believes only one god exists. Henotheism believes in one supreme, primary god but does not deny the existence of other, lesser deities.
UK: /ˈmɒn.əʊ.θiː.ɪ.zəm/ (MON-oh-thee-i-zum). US: /ˈmɑː.noʊ.θiː.ɪ.zəm/ (MAH-noh-thee-i-zum). Stress is always on the first syllable.
The belief that there is only one God.
Monotheism is usually academic, religious in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'monotheism'. Figurative use: 'He has a monotheistic devotion to free-market economics.']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MONO (one) + THEISM (belief in god) = belief in ONE god. Think of monotheism and monorail – both have 'mono' for 'single'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CENTRALITY/UNITY IS MONOTHEISM (e.g., 'The company's monotheistic focus on profit above all else').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary antonym of 'monotheism'?