Spanish word

ateo

Pronunciation

IPA/aˈteo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounatheist

Example

Mi amigo es ateo.

My friend is an atheist.

Illustration for ateo (atheist)

More examples

Se declaró ateo en la reunión familiar.

He declared himself an atheist at the family gathering.

Core concept

Person who does not believe in the existence of God.

Common phrases

  • ser ateo

    be an atheist

  • declararse ateo

    declare oneself an atheist

  • ateo declarado

    self-declared atheist

Similar words

agnóstico: Withholds judgment about God's existence.
no creyente: Does not hold religious faith or belief.

Definition in Spanish

Denomina a quien niega o no cree en la existencia de Dios.

Word origin

It derives from Greek ἄθεος (a- 'without' + θεός 'god') and entered Spanish via medieval Latin atheus.

Usage tips

  • Ateo normally uses ser (soy ateo) because it denotes a stable absence of belief, while agnóstico denotes withholding judgment about God's existence.

Other meanings

  • atheisticadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • ateísmoatheismnoun
  • ateístaatheistadjective

Word lists with this word