orthodox

adjective or·tho·dox \ ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks \

Updated on: 6 May 2018

Definition of orthodox

1 a : conforming to established doctrine especially in religion

orthodox principles

the orthodox interpretation

b : conventional

took an orthodox approach to the problem

orthodox medicine

2 capitalized : of, relating to, or constituting any of various conservative religious or political groups: such as

a : eastern orthodox

Greek Orthodox rituals

b : of or relating to Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Jews in their black suits and hats and modest dresses

—

orthodoxly

adverb

See orthodox defined for English-language learners

See orthodox defined for kids

Examples of orthodox in a Sentence

He took an orthodox approach to the problem.
She believes in the benefits of both orthodox medicine and alternative medicine.
He is a very orthodox Muslim.
I attend an Eastern Orthodox church.
My grandmother is Russian Orthodox.

Recent Examples of orthodox from the Web

Dixon chalked that up to him being orthodox, or right-handed, and Hollis being a southpaw, or left-handed.

— justin sayers, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville's Trevis Burgos, Carlos Dixon win at Evander Holyfied-sponsored boxing event," 27 Apr. 2018
Standing at just 5'6 tall, Assale is not an orthodox striker, but rather relying on his pace and technical ability to get in behind defenders.

— SI.com, "Leicester and Southampton Interested in Free-Scoring Ivory Coast International," 15 Apr. 2018
Come Sunday is light on thundering speeches from the pulpit, and refuses to present even its most orthodox characters as villainous.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Come Sunday Is an Uneven Biopic of Faith and Dissent," 12 Apr. 2018
Here's a reform rabbi that's working hard getting on board to raise money to build an orthodox synagogue.

— jessica boehm, azcentral, "Effort to save Phoenix's first Orthodox Jewish synagogue reveals forgotten history," 23 Mar. 2018
According to sources close to the couple, Ivanka and Jared, who are both orthodox Jews, were observing Shabbat, and were therefore off of technology from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

— sarah lindig, Harper's BAZAAR, "Ivanka Trump "Feels Terrible" About That Insensitive Instagram Photo," 31 Jan. 2017
As in many orthodox religions, women at Open Door are expected to show modesty.

— sarah smith, star-telegram, "Fundamentalist Baptist pastor arrested on charges he failed to report child abuse | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 3 Apr. 2018
Every family has its own Passover rituals, which may reflect family tradition or the denomination of Judaism (some are more orthodox, others less traditional).

— sarah gray, Time, "The History Behind 7 Passover Traditions," 15 Mar. 2018
Marcus Rashford, most often used as a substitute in recent weeks, started from wide on the left; Alexis Sánchez, still scratching around to find his best form after his move from Arsenal in January, played as a more orthodox No. 10.

— rory smith, New York Times, "Manchester United Tops Liverpool, Without Artistry and, Significantly, Without Pogba," 10 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'orthodox.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

An orthodox religious belief or interpretation is one handed down by a church's founders or leaders. When capitalized, as in Orthodox Judaism, Orthodox refers to a branch within a larger religious organization that claims to honor the religion's original or traditional beliefs. The steadfast holding of established beliefs that is seen in religious orthodoxy is apparent also in other kinds of orthodox behavior. Orthodox medical treatment, for example, follows the established practices of mainstream medicine. Unorthodox thinking is known in business language as "thinking outside the box".

Origin and Etymology of orthodox

Middle English orthodoxe, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French orthodoxe, from Late Latin orthodoxus, from Late Greek orthodoxos, from Greek orth- + doxa opinion — more at doxology

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

orthodox Synonyms

Other Jewish Religion Terms

Talmud, Zion, challah, dybbuk, kosher, tabernacle, tetragrammaton, yarmulke

orthodox

noun

Definition of orthodox

plural orthodox also orthodoxes

1 : one that is orthodox

2 capitalized : a member of an Eastern Orthodox church

Recent Examples of orthodox from the Web

The fascinating modern historic events there now were instigated by an unorthodox president who may be about to accomplish what orthodox leaders never could.

— andrew malcolm, San Francisco Chronicle, "Trump’s Korea initiative is risky and unprecedented," 2 May 2018
The closest synagogue at the time was a conservative synagogue on Third Avenue and McDowell Road, a long walk for orthodox worshipers who did not drive on the Sabbath.

— jessica boehm, azcentral, "Founding family of Phoenix synagogue saved 1,500 people during the Holocaust," 12 Apr. 2018
Santos is likely to continue Uribe's crackdown on crime and on the FARC insurgency as well as his orthodox financial policies.

— Newsweek, "Amazing Photos of Bioluminescent Phytoplankton," 14 Mar. 2018
Generally speaking, the Jewish community can be divided up into three types of affiliation-orthodox, conservative and reform.

— patricia dillon, Houston Chronicle, "Villager Q & A: Rabbi Mendel Blecher of Chabad of The Woodlands," 23 Feb. 2018
The event, hosted by Shabbat San Diego, calls on Jewish San Diegans, whether orthodox, reform or secular, to observe a Shabbat, or Jewish Sabbath, as a sign of unity with Jews around the world.

— kate morrissey, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Thousands of San Diegans to make bread, observe traditional Shabbat in international celebration," 23 Oct. 2017

Origin and Etymology of orthodox

see ¹orthodox

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1587

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

ORTHODOX Defined for English Language Learners

orthodox

adjective

Definition of orthodox for English Language Learners

: accepted as true or correct by most people : supporting or believing what most people think is true
: accepting and closely following the traditional beliefs and customs of a religion
Orthodox : of or relating to the Orthodox Church