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sin

noun (1)
\ ˈsin How to pronounce sin (audio) \

Definition of sin

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1a : 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
2a : transgression of the law of God
b : a vitiated state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God

sin

verb
sinned; sinning

Definition of sin (Entry 2 of 4)

intransitive verb

1 : to commit a sin
2 : to commit an offense or fault

sin

noun (2)
\ ˈsēn How to pronounce sin (audio) , ˈsin\

Definition of sin (Entry 3 of 4)

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

sin

abbreviation

Definition of sin (Entry 4 of 4)

sine
Other Words from sin Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More on the Meaning of Sin Example Sentences Learn More about sin

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Choose the Right Synonym for sin

Noun (1)

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

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”).

Examples of sin in a Sentence

Verb

 Forgive me, for I have sinned. bless me, Father, for I have sinned

First Known Use of sin

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

History and Etymology for sin

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

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More Definitions for sin

sin

verb

English Language Learners Definition of sin

: to do something that is considered wrong according to religious or moral law : to commit a sin

See the full definition for sin in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sin

noun
\ ˈsin How to pronounce sin (audio) \

Kids Definition of sin

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an action that breaks a religious law
2 : an action that is or is felt to be bad Wasting food is a sin.

sin

verb
sinned; sinning

Kids Definition of sin (Entry 2 of 2)

: to do something that breaks a religious law or is felt to be bad

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