secular
C1Formal, academic, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
Not connected with religion or spiritual matters; relating to the physical world and worldly affairs.
Occurring or observed over an indefinitely long period of time (e.g., in economics: long-term trends).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used to describe societies, institutions, governments, or education systems that are separate from religious influence. Can carry ideological weight in discussions of state vs. church.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal difference in core meaning. More frequently discussed in American public discourse due to constitutional 'separation of church and state'.
Connotations
In both varieties, can be a neutral descriptor or a charged term depending on the speaker's viewpoint (e.g., positive connotation of progress and freedom for some, negative connotation of moral decline for others).
Frequency
Similar frequency in formal/academic contexts. Slightly higher public discourse frequency in the US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
secular + noun (adj.)secular + society/state/institution (adj.)to secularise (verb)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Secular saint (a non-religious person admired for moral excellence)”
- “A secular age”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to long-term market trends, e.g., 'secular growth in the tech sector'.
Academic
Central in sociology, political science, history, and religious studies to describe societies or institutions separate from religion.
Everyday
Used in discussions about religion in public life, schools, or government policies.
Technical
In economics: 'secular stagnation'; in geology/astronomy: describing processes over very long periods.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government aims to secularise the education system entirely.
- The process of secularising public institutions has been gradual.
American English
- Activists fought to secularize the city council's proceedings.
- The movement sought to secularize all government property.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My school is secular. It doesn't teach religion.
- In a secular state, the government is separate from the church.
- The festival has both religious and secular origins.
- The trend towards a more secular society is evident in the census data.
- Secular humanism emphasises ethics without reference to divine authority.
- Analysts warned of a period of secular stagnation in the global economy.
- The historian examined the secularisation of European public institutions during the 19th century.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SECUlar' as being 'SECUred' in the real, practical world, not in a spiritual one.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGION IS SEPARATE (A wall separates church and state). TIME IS A FORCE (Secular trends are slow, powerful forces over time).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'светский' (worldly, high-society). While correct for 'secular state' (светское государство), 'secular' lacks the 'high society' connotation of 'светский'. 'Secular' is broader and more institutional.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'secular' with 'atheist' (atheist rejects belief; secular means separate from religion). Mispronunciation: /ˈsiːkjʊlər/ (incorrect). Incorrect: 'a secular priest' (contradictory).
Practice
Quiz
In an economic context, what does 'secular' typically refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Atheist' describes a person who does not believe in a god or gods. 'Secular' describes institutions, societies, or ideas that are separate from religion. A person can be religious but support a secular government.
It is primarily a descriptive term, but its connotation depends on context and the speaker's perspective. For some, it represents progress, freedom, and equality. For others, it may imply moral decline or the rejection of tradition.
The main verb is 'secularise' (UK) / 'secularize' (US), meaning to make something secular or separate from religious control.
A trend that persists over a very long period (decades or centuries), as opposed to cyclical or short-term trends. It's commonly used in economics, demographics, and climate science.