# schism

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈskɪzəm/ · frequency rank #28,711

## Definitions
1. A split or separation within a group or organization, typically caused by discord.
2. A formal division or split within a religious body.
3. a split within Christianity whereby a group no longer recognizes the Bishop of Rome as the head of the Church, but shares essentially the same beliefs with the Church of Rome. In other words, a political split without the introduction of heresy.

## Etymology
From Middle English scisme, from Old French cisme or scisme, from Ancient Greek σχίσμα (skhísma, “division”), from σχίζω (skhízō, “I split”). Doublet of schisma. Compare chasm.
This word was historically pronounced /ˈsɪzəm/ (and still is among the clergy); the pronunciations /ˈʃɪzəm/, /ˈskɪzəm/ are due to the spelling (the latter may have been reinforced by learned influence); compare schedule.

## Easily confused with
- **shim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/schism-vs-shim)
- **sexism** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/schism-vs-sexism)
- **Schiff** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/schiff-vs-schism)
- **sadism** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sadism-vs-schism)

## Common misspellings (10)
`cshism`, `scchism`, `schhism`, `schims`, `schismm`, `schissm`, `schsim`, `scihsm`, `shcism`, `sschism`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/schism