1
Core meaning
A person who believes that the existence of God or ultimate reality is unknown or cannot be known with certainty.
Example
As an agnostic, she regarded certainty on the question as impossible.
agnostic
/æɡˈnɒstɪk/ · ag-NOS-tiknoun
A person who believes that the existence of God or ultimate reality is unknown or cannot be known with certainty.
Use agnostic to express this relationship precisely: a person who believes that the existence of God or ultimate reality is unknown or cannot be known with certainty.
What agnostic Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common noun frame
Use this noun in a complete noun phrase, adding the complement that identifies what it refers to when needed.
Example
The philosopher distinguished atheism from an agnostic position.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact concept matters; a related term may describe its cause, evidence, or opposite instead.
Example
An agnostic may remain open to evidence while withholding belief.
Use agnostic Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
As an agnostic, she regarded certainty on the question as impossible.
The philosopher distinguished atheism from an agnostic position.
An agnostic may remain open to evidence while withholding belief.
Precision Matters
Agnostic overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
agnostic
vs.Means a person who believes that the existence of God or ultimate reality is unknown or cannot be known with certainty.
partisan
Means strongly biased in favour of a particular political party, group, or cause.
agnostic
vs.Means a person who believes that the existence of God or ultimate reality is unknown or cannot be known with certainty.
advocate
Means publicly support, recommend, or argue in favour of a cause, policy, or course of action.
agnostic
vs.Means a person who believes that the existence of God or ultimate reality is unknown or cannot be known with certainty.
adversary
Means an opponent, rival, or enemy in a conflict, contest, debate, or struggle.
agnostic
vs.Means a person who believes that the existence of God or ultimate reality is unknown or cannot be known with certainty.
skeptical
Means doubtful, questioning, or not easily convinced without sufficient evidence.
Test agnostic in Context
He holds that certainty about God's existence is unavailable.
1
Because he argued that divine existence could neither be proved nor disproved, he described himself as an ___.