skeptic

UK: /ˈskɛptɪk/ US: /ˈskɛptɪk/ ,(skep′tik)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

skep•tic or scep•tic /ˈskɛptɪk/   n. [countable]

1. one who questions the validity of something that others believe to be factual, esp. religious beliefs.
2. one who maintains a doubting attitude, as toward values, plans, etc.

adj. 

3. skeptical.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

skep•tic  (skep′tik), n. 

1. a person who questions the validity or authenticity of something purporting to be factual.
2. a person who maintains a doubting attitude, as toward values, plans, statements, or the character of others.
3. Religion a person who doubts the truth of a religion, esp. Christianity, or of important elements of it.
4. Philosophy (cap.)
   • a member of a philosophical school of ancient Greece, the earliest group of which consisted of Pyrrho and his followers, who maintained that real knowledge of things is impossible.
   • any later thinker who doubts or questions the possibility of real knowledge of any kind.

adj. 

5. pertaining to skeptics or skepticism;
   skeptical.
6. Philosophy (cap.) pertaining to the Skeptics.

Also, sceptic. 

• Greek skeptikós, equivalent. to sképt(esthai) to consider, examine (akin to skopeîn to look; see -scope) + -ikos -ic
• Late Latin scepticus thoughtful, inquiring (in plural Scepticī the Skeptics)
• 1565–75

Synonyms

• 3. doubter. See atheist. 

Antonyms

• 3. believer.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

skeptic / ˈskɛptɪk/ noun , adjective

1. an archaic, and the usual US, spelling of sceptic

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

scep•tic /ˈskɛptɪk/   n., adj. 

1. skeptic.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

scep•tic  (skep′tik), n., adj. 

1. skeptic.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sceptic, skeptic / ˈskɛptɪk/ noun

1. a person who habitually doubts the authenticity of accepted beliefs
2. a person who mistrusts people, ideas, etc, in general
3. a person who doubts the truth of religion, esp Christianity

adjective

1. of or relating to sceptics; sceptical

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin scepticus, from Greek skeptikos one who reflects upon, from skeptesthai to consider

ˈscepticism, ˈskepticism noun