Scepticism
/ˈskɛp.tɪ.sɪ.zəm/noun
A skeptical attitude; doubt or disbelief, especially toward claims or beliefs.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek skeptesthai, “to look closely” or “examine,” so its oldest sense is less “doubter” and more “careful watcher.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*spek-
“to observe, look at”
Ancient Greek
Greek
skeptomai / skeptesthai
“to look carefully, examine”
Ancient Greek
Greek
skeptikos
“inquisitive, reflective; disposed to inquiry”
Late Latin
Latin
scepticus
“skeptical, belonging to the Skeptics”
Middle French
Old French
scepticisme
“skepticism”
Modern English
English
scepticism
“skeptical doubt or an attitude of questioning”
Explore more surprising origins