Infidel
noun /ˈɪn.fɪ.dəl/ — One who does not hold the dominant religion; an unfaithful outsider
Definition
A person who has no religion or whose religion is not that of the majority — used historically by both Christian and Islamic authorities to define and denigrate those outside their faith. The word literally means 'unfaithful'.
Beyond the definition
Infidel is the word that creates an us-and-them by defining the them. Every religion that has used it has used it to justify treatment it would not apply to the faithful. The word's history is the history of how religious difference became actionable.
Origin & history
Latin: infidelis (unfaithful). From in- (not) + fidelis (faithful). The unfaithful — but unfaithful to what? To the faith of those with the power to name the unfaithful.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Crusades and jihads both defined their enemies as infidels — the word functioned as both identification and justification.
The infidel is not wicked by the definition of their own faith — only by the definition of the faith calling them one.
Infidel is the word that turns theological difference into moral status.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Infidel” when the meaning fits your context: A person who has no religion or whose religion is not that of the majority — used historically by both Christian and Islamic authorities to define and denigrate those outside their faith. The word literally means 'unfaithful'.
Synonyms
unbeliever, non-believer, heretic
Antonyms
faithful, believer
Related words
Infidel vs heathen
Infidel is often used in the context of opposing religious factions. Heathen is a more general term for someone perceived as lacking religious adherence.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Exclusion from Decision Making
Two adults in a room where one stands tall, excluding the other.
The person excluded from the decision-making process is, in effect, treated as an infidel—a person separated from the faith or doctrine of the majority. The dominant figure sets the rules, creating a clear division between those included and those cast outside.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Infidel" mean?
Infidel is noun meaning: One who does not hold the dominant religion; an unfaithful outsider. A person who has no religion or whose religion is not that of the majority — used historically by both Christian and Islamic authorities to define and denigrate those outside their faith. The word literally means 'unfaithful'.
Where does the word "Infidel" come from?
Latin: infidelis (unfaithful). From in- (not) + fidelis (faithful). The unfaithful — but unfaithful to what? To the faith of those with the power to name the unfaithful.