secularists
|sec-u-lar-ists|
🇺🇸
/ˈsɛkjələrɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˈsɛkjʊlərɪst/
(secularist)
advocate for secularism
Etymology
'secularist' originates from English formation, ultimately built from Latin 'saecularis' + the agent suffix '-ist'; Latin 'saecularis' comes from 'saeculum' where 'saeculum' meant 'generation, age'.
'secularist' developed in English in the 19th century from the adjective 'secular' (from Latin 'saecularis') plus the suffix '-ist' (used to form agent nouns), creating a noun meaning 'one who advocates secularism'.
Initially related to the idea of 'this-worldly' or 'of an age' from Latin, it evolved into the modern sense of 'relating to separation from religious institutions' and specifically 'one who supports that separation'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who advocates secularism — the separation of religion from government, public institutions, and public education.
Many secularists argue that public schools should not promote any particular religion.
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Noun 2
a person who is not religious or who is not a member of the clergy; someone with a nonreligious outlook (used in contrast to clergy or the devout).
Some secularists identify as atheist or agnostic rather than following an organized religion.
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Last updated: 2026/01/14 18:05