original sin

noun

1

: the state of sin that according to Christian theology characterizes all human beings as a result of Adam's fall

2

: a wrong of great magnitude

the original sin of slavery

Examples of original sin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And really, all three options compound each other, but the trade up to No. 1 in 2023 is kind of the original sin of gambles. —Mike Kaye october 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2025

Since colonialism is often treated as the West’s original sin, Israel was made to bear the guilt of five centuries of European empire. —Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

This is bad news for Abraham, for whom religion is a kink, lightly whipping Ann while tut-tutting about original sin during their highly formal lovemaking sessions. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2025

In this view, trade deficits are the original sin, and fixing the global economy starts and ends with deficits. —Wally Adeyemo, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for original sin

• protoporphyrin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

Kids Definition

original sin

noun

1

: the state of sin that according to Christian teaching all people are born in as a result of Adam's sin in Eden

2

: a very great and significant wrong

the original sin of slavery