infidel

1 of 2

noun

in·​fi·​del ˈin-fə-dᵊl 

-fə-ˌdel

1

: one who is not a Christian or who opposes Christianity

2

a

: an unbeliever with respect to a particular religion

b

: one who acknowledges no religious belief

3

: a disbeliever in something specified or understood

infidel

2 of 2

adjective

1

: not holding the faith of a given religion

Either they must come to terms with surrounding infidel tribes or they must conquer the hinterland.

—Daniel J. Boorstin

the infidel nations

2

: opposing or traitorous to a given religion

infidel writers

an infidel sect

Examples of infidel in a Sentence

Noun

a holy war against the infidels

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some, steeped in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, even viewed Israel as an infidel transgressor. —Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024

Some of their treasured possessions—bicycles, snowboards, trophies—would identify them as infidels and put their lives in danger. —Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 5 Nov. 2024

Adjective

But it is widely believed to have increased support for Islamists such as the Muslim Brotherhood, which believes Islam must be at war with an infidel West. —Max Singer, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2017

They were forced by the Hisbah to stand up in mosques and public squares, in front of crowds, and declare their regret for having enforced the laws of the infidel government. —National Geographic, 17 Oct. 2016

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French infidele, borrowed from Medieval Latin infidēlis, noun derivative of Late Latin infidēlis "unbelieving" — more at infidel entry 2

Adjective

Middle English infidele "non-Christian," borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin infidēlis "unbelieving," going back to Latin, "not keeping faith, disloyal," from in- in- entry 1 + fidēlis "faithful, loyal, trustworthy" — more at fidelity

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

infidel

noun

in·​fi·​del ˈin-fəd-ᵊl 

-fə-ˌdel

: a person who does not believe in a particular religion

infidel adjective