Spanish word

laico

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈlajko/

Meaning

  • adjectivesecular

Example

La universidad es laica y no promueve ninguna religión.

The university is secular and does not promote any religion.

Illustration for laico (secular)

More examples

En una democracia moderna, el gobierno debe ser laico.

In a modern democracy, the government must be secular.

Core concept

A civil wedding at a town hall with no priest present.

Common phrases

  • gobierno laico

    secular government

  • espacio laico

    secular space

  • ámbito laico

    secular sphere

Similar words

secular: Neutral toward religion in public life or policy, free from religious authority or influence.
ateo: Without belief in gods or other supernatural beings.
profano: Ordinary or worldly rather than sacred, not connected to worship or holy things.

Definition in Spanish

Que pertenece al ámbito civil y no al clero; aplicado a personas laicas, instituciones o prácticas que no tienen afiliación religiosa.

Word origin

Derives from Latin laicus and ultimately from Greek laikos 'of the people', laico marks what belongs to civil life rather than to the clergy.

Usage tips

  • Common collocation estado laico denotes a secular state, and laico often appears in phrases like enseñanza laica or universidad laica.

Other meanings

  • laypersonnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word