First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1sin
noun \ˈsin\
Definition of SIN
1
a : 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
2
a : transgression of the law of God b : a vitiated state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God
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Origin of SIN
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
Synonym Discussion of SIN
offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity. offense implies hurt displeasure <takes deep offense at racial slurs>. resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will <harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother>. umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives <took umbrage at the offer of advice>. pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity <in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation>. dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation <stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon>. huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause <in a huff he slammed the door>.
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>.
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>.
2sin
intransitive verb
: to do something that is considered wrong according to religious or moral law : to commit a sin
sinnedsin·ning
Full Definition of SIN
1
: to commit a sin
2
: to commit an offense or fault
First Known Use of SIN
before 12th century
Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
3sin
noun \ˈsēn, ˈsin\
Definition of SIN
: the 21st letter of the Hebrew alphabet — see alphabet table
Origin of SIN
Hebrew śin
First Known Use: circa 1823
4sin
abbreviation
Definition of SIN
sine
SIN Defined for Kids
1sin
noun \ˈsin\
Definition of SIN for Kids
1
: an action that breaks a religious law
2
: an action that is or is felt to be bad <Wasting food is a sin.>
2sin
verb
sinnedsin·ning
Definition of SIN for Kids
: to do something that breaks a religious law or is felt to be bad
— sin·ner \ˈsi-nər\ noun
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