Meaning and usage guide
atheist vs agnostic
Meaning, usage, pronunciation, and examples
Atheist usually describes someone who does not believe in any gods. Agnostic usually describes someone who considers the existence of gods unknown or unknowable.
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How to choose
Separate the belief question from the knowledge question
Treat the labels as answers on two possible axes, not always as mutually exclusive teams.
Atheist
Use for someone who lacks belief in gods or holds that no gods exist, depending on the person’s definition.
She identifies as an atheist.
Agnostic
Use for someone who regards the existence of gods as unknown, uncertain, or perhaps unknowable.
He describes himself as agnostic because he is uncertain.
Possible overlap
A person can combine the terms when they lack belief and also make no claim to certain knowledge.
They use the label agnostic atheist.
Direct answer
What is the difference?
Atheism answers a question about belief; agnosticism answers a question about knowledge or certainty. Because those are different questions, a person may identify as both—for example, an agnostic atheist lacks belief while not claiming certainty that no gods exist. People define and use identity labels in varied ways, so self-description matters.
American English
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Word 1
atheist
noun
A person who does not believe in the existence of any gods.
US pronunciation
/ˈeɪθiɪst/
UK IPA
/ˈeɪθiɪst/
Hear three samples
How to pronounce it
Stress AY, use an unvoiced TH, and keep the final “ee-ist” sequence distinct without adding a hard break.
Word 2
agnostic
noun or adjective
A person who believes the existence of gods is unknown or unknowable; relating to that view.
US pronunciation
/æɡˈnɑstɪk/
UK IPA
/æɡˈnɒstɪk/
Hear three samples
How to pronounce it
Say the initial G, stress NAH, and finish with a short “stik.” The G is not silent.
Listen in context
6 example sentences
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Examples with
atheist
- The author identifies as an atheist.
- An atheist may arrive at that view for many different reasons.
- The discussion included an atheist, a Christian, and a Muslim.
Examples with
agnostic
- He remains agnostic about the existence of a god.
- The survey allowed respondents to select agnostic.
- Her agnostic position emphasizes uncertainty rather than belief.
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