French Conversation · Level 55
73 words
French word
laïque
Pronunciation
IPA/laik/
Meaning
- adjectivesecular
Example
Il préfère une école laïque.
He prefers a secular school.
More examples
Les parents ont choisi une école laïque pour leurs enfants.
The parents chose a secular school for their children.
Core concept
A public institution that gives no religion control over its common life.
Common phrases
école laïque
secular school
état laïque
secular state
loi laïque
secular law
Similar words
non religieux: Unrelated to religion or religious matters.
séculier: Independent of religious authority in public affairs.
non confessionnel: Not based on or affiliated with a particular denomination.
neutre: Showing no religious position or character.
Definition in French
Qui indique l'absence d'influence religieuse dans les affaires publiques ou institutionnelles, marquant la neutralité de l'État, d'un service ou d'un lieu.
Word origin
The French adjective developed from laïc, inherited from Latin laicus and ultimately Greek laikos, 'of the people'.
Usage tips
- Laïque describes an institution or policy, whereas laïcité names the principle or system of state religious neutrality.