heterodox

adjective

het·​ero·​dox ˈhe-tə-rə-ˌdäks 

ˈhe-trə-

1

: contrary to or different from an acknowledged standard, a traditional form, or an established religion : unorthodox, unconventional

heterodox ideas

2

: holding unorthodox opinions or doctrines

a heterodox religious sect

Did you know?

Hot take: individuals often see other people’s ideas as unconventional while regarding their own as common sense. On second thought, this take may be more on the mild side—in other words, closer to orthodox (“conventional”) insight about human nature than to heterodox (“unconventional” or “contrary”) opinion. Both orthodox and heterodox developed from the same root, the Greek doxa, meaning “opinion.” Heterodox combines doxa with heter-, a combining form meaning “other” or “different”; orthodox pairs doxa with orth-, meaning “correct” or “straight.”

Synonyms

• dissentient
• dissenting
• dissident
• heretical
• heretic
• iconoclastic
• maverick
• nonconformist
• nonorthodox
• out-there
• unconventional
• unorthodox

Examples of heterodox in a Sentence

a Christian clergyman with a very heterodox opinion on the divinity of Jesus

her heterodox approach to teaching science initially met with some resistance from her peers

Recent Examples on the Web

Love Songs holds the hallmarks of an era of heterodox rap-hook writers, deep YouTube exploration, and DIY mash-ups and blends, but the loonier flips restore the ’89 feeling of wondering whether an exciting piece of collagework will one day be sued out of existence. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024

Modern horror cinema’s most heterodox event took place on Saturday night, when two blonde Whitneys and A24 hosted dueling screenings at a multiplex within the southernmost border of Salt Lake City proper. —Claire Carusillo, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024

The heterodox school of economics that Harris is part of certainly didn’t have all the answers. —John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024

The conversation around aging used to be more heterodox and more demanding. —Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin heterodoxus, from Greek heterodoxos, from heter- + doxa opinion — more at doxology

First Known Use

circa 1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

heterodox

adjective

het·​ero·​dox ˈhet-ə-rə-ˌdäks 

1

: opposed to established opinions, beliefs, or standards : unorthodox

2

: holding or expressing unaccepted beliefs or opinions