sin

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noun (1)

ˈsin 

1

a

: an offense against religious or moral law

b

: an action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible

it's a sin to waste food

c

: an often serious shortcoming : fault

2

a

: transgression of the law of God

b

: a vitiated state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God

sin

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verb

sinned; sinning

intransitive verb

1

: to commit a sin

2

: to commit an offense or fault

sin

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noun (2)

ˈsēn  ˈsin 

: the 21st letter of the Hebrew alphabet see Alphabet Table

sin

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abbreviation

sine

Did you know?

More on the Meaning of Sin

The word sin has been in use for well over a thousand years. Our current form of the word comes from the Middle English sinne, which is itself from the Old English syn. The original meanings of sin were largely concerned with religious matters ("an offense against religious or moral law"; "a transgression of the law of God"; "a vitiated state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God"), as they still are today.

Sin does, however, have weakened, non-religious meanings. In its "an action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible" meaning it is still a weighty word; it refers to actions of a kind that are likely to be strongly condemned. Far weaker is its "an often serious shortcoming" meaning, which can jokingly apply to a harmless act like eating one dessert too many, or can be paired with another word to refer to a failing of one kind or another, as in "literary/grammatical sins."

The word sinful, although it is most often found used in reference to behavior that is in some way wicked, may also be found denoting activities which are quite enjoyable (although still possibly guilt-inducing), such as eating "a sinful dessert."

Sin is also used in a fair number of compound nouns, some of which allow shades of sinfulness: a venial sin is much less serious than a mortal sin.

If you find yourself in need of a word with which to describe behavior or inclinations that are in some way questionable, but feel that sin is too strong a word, the English language has a wealth of options available. The Latin word peccare (“to sin”) has given rise to a number of English words that deal with sin, but which have less fire and brimstone in their meanings. We have peccadillo (“a slight offense”), peccable (which may mean either “liable to sin” or “susceptible to temptation”), and peccant (“violating a principle or rule, as of taste or propriety”).

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• breach
• crime
• debt
• error
• lawbreaking
• malefaction
• misdeed
• misdoing
• offense
• offence
• transgression
• trespass
• violation
• wrongdoing

Verb

• err
• fall
• offend
• stray
• transgress
• trespass
• wander

Choose the Right Synonym for sin

offense, sin, vice, crime, scandal mean a transgression of law.

offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

Examples of sin in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a child old enough to know that lying is a sin

a minister who worries that modern society has abandoned the concept of sin

a sordid section of the city that is mainly known for sin and degradation

it's a sin to waste food when people are starving

my besetting sin is impatience—I hate to wait for anything

Verb

Forgive me, for I have sinned.

bless me, Father, for I have sinned

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Courage Under Fire’s Rashomon-like investigation and gender politics aren’t particularly riveting, but Washington’s steady righteousness is nicely undercut by the character’s inability to forgive himself for his own sins. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2024

Gabbard's sin is criticizing Ukraine and calling for an end to the hostilities. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

Verb

Addressing the congregation that evening before offering Aaron some more personalized wisdom, Tim speaks about the necessity of accepting Jesus Christ into one’s life to counteract doubt and the temptation to sin. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024

Again and again, Stan’s Donald spends The Apprentice cataloging the ways in which he has been sinned against. —Constance Grady, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English sinne, from Old English synn; akin to Old High German sunta sin and probably to Latin sont-, sons guilty, est is — more at is

Noun (2)

Hebrew śin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1823, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sin

• (as) guilty as sin
• (as) miserable as sin
• (as) ugly as sin
• besetting sin
• cardinal sin
• deadly sin
• live in sin
• mortal sin
• original sin
• sin tax
• venial sin

Kids Definition

sin

1 of 2 noun

ˈsin 

1

: a breaking of a moral law

2

: an action that is or is felt to be bad

sin

2 of 2 verb

sinned; sinning

: to commit a sin