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Orthodox

/ˈɔːrθədɑːks/

adjectiveB2

Definition

Orthodox describes ideas, beliefs, or actions that follow the accepted or traditional rules or customs. It often refers to religion but can also describe any way of thinking or doing things that is considered normal or standard by a group.

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See It in Action

Following traditional or established beliefs, especially in religion

  • •The Orthodox Church follows ancient Christian traditions.
  • •She has orthodox views about how to live a good life.
  • •Orthodox Jews follow strict religious laws.

Following accepted or usual practices in general

  • •His orthodox approach to teaching uses classic methods.
  • •The company prefers orthodox business strategies over risky ones.

Make It Stick

  • ✓Think of "orthodox" like "normal" or "usual," but more about following old or traditional rules carefully.
  • ✓Picture a group of people wearing traditional clothes and doing things the way their ancestors did for many years.
  • ✓It's the feeling of respecting old ways and not wanting to change important customs.
  • ✓Sounds like "ORTHO-docks" → imagine a dock (a place for boats) that stays the same and strong, never changing its shape.
  • ✓In stories, orthodox characters often follow the rules strictly, like teachers or elders who want to keep traditions.
  • ✓NOT like "modern" or "new" ideas that try to change or break old rules.
  • ✓NOT like "unusual" or "strange" ways of thinking.
  • ✓NOT like "radical" or "extreme" which mean very different or new ideas.

Try Other Words

  • •Conventional: usual or normal way of doing something (Use when you mean something accepted by most people but not necessarily strict)
  • •Traditional: based on old customs or beliefs (Use when focusing on customs passed down through generations)
  • •Mainstream: accepted by most people or the majority (Use when meaning popular or widely accepted ideas)
  • •Established: recognized and accepted for a long time (Use when emphasizing long-lasting acceptance)

Unboxing

  • •Prefix "ortho-" means "correct" or "straight" in Greek.
  • •Root "dox" comes from Greek "doxa," meaning "opinion" or "belief."
  • •The word originally means "correct belief" or "right opinion."
  • •First used in English in the 16th century, often related to religion.
  • •Today, it describes strict following of accepted beliefs or practices, especially in religion but also in other areas.

Reflect & Connect

•How do you think being orthodox can help keep traditions alive? Can it also stop new ideas?
•Can something be orthodox in one culture but not in another? How does this affect understanding between people?

Fill in the blanks

1.People who are orthodox usually ___ old rules and customs carefully.
2.In religion, orthodox beliefs are often ___ and passed down from many years ago.
3.Unlike new ideas, orthodox views do not ___ much change.
4.When someone has an orthodox approach, they often avoid ___ methods.
5.Orthodox practices can sometimes ___ with modern or different opinions.
6.The Orthodox Church is known for ___ traditions strictly.
7.A person may be orthodox in their thinking but still be ___ to some new ideas.