deadly sin

noun

: one of seven sins of pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth held to be fatal to spiritual progress

Examples of deadly sin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The book, about a young girl who is always looking at her reflection, was part of a children’s series Du Bois created around the seven deadly sins (this one was pride). —Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2024

As a playwright, Headland wrote the seven deadly sins cycle: Cinephilia (Lust), Bachelorette (Gluttony), Assistance (Greed), Surfer Girl (Sloth), Reverb (Wrath), The Accidental Blonde (Envy) and Cult Of Love (Pride). —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 25 June 2024

Catholic teaching lists it among the seven deadly sins. —Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2024

On the surface, the story of Red Lobster’s bankruptcy is about one of the seven deadly sins: gluttony. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

deadly sin

noun

: one of seven sins of pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth considered in Christianity to be very serious and believed to cause other sins