sin
Transitive VerbIntransitive Verb[C/U] Both
pl: sinspast: sinnedpp: sinneding: sinning
The term carries a heavy weight of guilt and judgment, typically rooted in a theological framework where a higher authority defines right and wrong. It suggests a breach of a sacred covenant or a failure to live up to a divine standard, creating a sense of spiritual debt or stain. In modern, secular contexts, the word is often used ironically or playfully to describe small indulgences, such as eating a decadent dessert. This shift moves the word from a state of genuine moral crisis to a lighthearted acknowledgment of breaking a personal rule or a dietary restriction.
Countable when referring to a specific forbidden act like lying or stealing. Uncountable when referring to the general state of being immoral or the concept of wickedness.