Basic Details
Word: Orthodox
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Following the usual, accepted beliefs or ways of doing things, especially in religion; not new or unusual.
Synonyms: traditional, conventional, conservative, standard
Antonyms: unorthodox, unconventional, radical
Word origin: From Greek orthos, straight or right, and doxa, opinion.
How to Spell Orthodox
Syllables: or - tho - dox
Tricky part: The h after t is easy to miss, giving ortodox. The ending is dox, not docks or dax.
Watch out for: ortodox, orthadox, orthodocs
Memory tip: Orthodox shares its ortho with orthodontist, the dentist who straightens teeth. Ortho means straight or right and dox means opinion: the right opinion.
Usage Examples
Example 1: My grandfather follows orthodox customs during festivals.
Example 2: The doctor tried an orthodox treatment first, before anything new.
Example 3: Her orthodox views on discipline often clashed with her son's ideas.
Fun Fact
In cricket, slow left-arm orthodox is the name of a bowling style; the ball usually turns away from a right-handed batter.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word orthodox as used in the sentence:
The professor's orthodox methods made him popular with the older staff.
a) traditional
b) unconventional
c) usual
d) accepted
Show answer
b) unconventional. Traditional, accepted and usual all say much the same as orthodox; unconventional breaks away from it.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. orthodox 2. hipocrite 3. sermen 4. pilgrimmage
a) a talk on a religious subject
b) a trip to a holy place
c) a person who pretends to hold beliefs they do not
d) holding the usual, accepted beliefs
Show answer
d) holding the usual, accepted beliefs. Hypocrite starts with hy, pilgrimage has one m and sermon ends in on; only orthodox is written correctly.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
or_hod_x
a) t, a
b) t, o
c) t, u
d) d, o
Show answer
b) t, o. Ortho needs the t before its h, and the last part is dox with an o.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A doctor who uses orthodox medicine relies on ____.
a) untested home-made mixtures
b) guesswork from a website
c) lucky charms and wishes
d) tested, widely accepted treatments
Show answer
d) tested, widely accepted treatments
2. An orthodox opinion is one that ____.
a) changes every single day
b) only small children hold
c) most people already accept
d) almost nobody has heard
Show answer
c) most people already accept
