doctrinal

[ dok-truh-nl; British also dok-trahyn-l ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with doctrine:

   a doctrinal dispute.

Other Words From

• doctri·nali·ty noun
• doctri·nal·ly adverb
• non·doctri·nal adjective
• non·doctri·nal·ly adverb
• un·doctri·nal adjective
• un·doctri·nal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of doctrinal¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin doctrīnālis, equivalent to Latin doctrīn ( a ) ( doctrine ) + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

"What we have now in the Age of Trump is a situation where what it means to be a Christian is adherence to political conservative orthodoxy, rather than Christian doctrinal orthodoxy."

From Salon

Over the centuries, it has endorsed only a small percentage of the thousands that have been claimed, in an effort to protect the faithful from charlatans, doctrinal errors or attempts to profit.

From New York Times

On Friday, the Vatican’s doctrinal office will issue a revised set of norms for discerning apparitions “and other supernatural phenomena,” updating a set of guidelines first issued in 1978.

From Seattle Times

It echoed Francis’ assertion in a 2023 interview with The Associated Press that “being homosexual is not a crime,” making the assertion now part of the Vatican’s doctrinal teaching.

From Seattle Times

Eastern Orthodox leadership, despite lacking a single doctrinal authority like a pope, has been united in opposing recognition of same-sex relationships both within its own rites and in the civil realm.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• classic
• classical
• common
• conventional
• historic
• long-established
• old
• popular
• regular
• time-honored
• universal