monotheism
MON-oh-thee-iz-um
/ˈmɒnəʊθiːɪzəm/
The doctrine or belief that there is only one God.
Refers strictly to single-deity belief systems, contrasting directly with polytheism and pantheism.
The story behind the word. Coined by English philosopher Henry More in the 17th century by joining Greek 'monos' (single, sole) with 'theos' (god) to create a precise term comparing world religions.
Word relationships
- monotheistic belief: Descriptive phrase emphasizing belief in one supreme God.
- polytheism: Belief in or worship of more than one god.
- pantheism: Belief that the universe itself is identical with divinity.
Commonly confused with
- monism: Monism is a philosophical view that all reality is made of one ultimate substance, not necessarily a personal God.
Word family
- monotheist (noun): A person who believes in only one God.
- monotheistic (adjective): Relating to or characterized by the belief in one God.
Collocations
- strict monotheism
- ethical monotheism
- rise of monotheism
Example sentences
- "Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share a foundation of ethical monotheism." Comparative religion
- "Pharaoh Akhenaten attempted to introduce a form of monotheism in ancient Egypt." Ancient history
Memory hook
MONO (one) + THEISM (God) = Belief in ONE God. Mono = single God.
When not to use
Do not use for religions with multiple co-equal deities.
Fun facts
- The word was invented relatively late in English history (1660) to help classify global religions during the Enlightenment!
Related words
Explore more words
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