heathen

adjective

hea·then | \ ˈhē-t͟hən

Definition of heathen

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 old-fashioned + often disparaging : of or relating to people or nations that do not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam : of or relating to heathens (see heathen entry 2 sense 1), their religions, or their customs : pagan heathen rituals

2 old-fashioned + disapproving : strange, uncivilized

heathen

noun

plural heathens or heathen

Definition of heathen (Entry 2 of 2)

1 old-fashioned + often disparaging : an unconverted member of a people or nation who does not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam

2 old-fashioned + disapproving : an uncivilized or irreligious person

Other Words from heathen Synonyms & Antonyms What Do pagan and heathen Really Mean? More Example Sentences Learn More About heathen

Other Words from heathen

Noun

heathendom \ ˈhē-t͟hən-dəm

\ noun

heathenism \ ˈhē-t͟hə-ˌni-zəm

\ noun

heathenize \ ˈhē-t͟hə-ˌnīz

\ transitive verb

Synonyms & Antonyms for heathen

Synonyms: Adjective

Synonyms: Noun

Antonyms: Adjective

civilized

What Do pagan and heathen Really Mean?

Pagan is derived from the Late Latin paganus, which was used at the end of the Roman Empire to name those who practiced a religion other than Christianity, Judaism, or Islam. Early Christians often used the term to refer to non-Christians who worshiped multiple deities. In Latin, paganus originally meant “country dweller” or “civilian;” it is believed that the word’s religious meanings developed either from the enduring non-Christian religious practices of those who lived far from the Roman cities where Christianity was more quickly adopted, or from the fact that early Christians referred to themselves as “soldiers of Christ,” making nonbelievers “civilians.”

The definition and etymology of heathen overlap with those of pagan: both words denote “an unconverted member of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of the Bible,” and heathen, like pagan, is believed to have come from the term for a country inhabitant, or in this case, a "heath dweller."

Both words have developed broader and pejorative meanings over time, with pagan being used to mean “an irreligious or hedonistic person” and heathen “uncivilized” or “strange,” but their original meanings are still in use.

Examples of heathen in a Sentence

Adjective old missionaries who mistakenly thought that they were going off to China to tame the heathen hordes Noun a missionary sent to distant lands to convert the heathens European colonizers, who considered the New World peoples to be heathens, forced them to conform to European ways.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The Cincinnati Bengals welcome the media heathen universe for a gab session/sitdown, linen-tablecloth lunch known in This Space as The Mock Turtle Soupfest and Weenie Roast. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 28 May 2019 Some of my brethren and sis-tren (sis-tren?) in the heathen media tribe get all riled up if a player or coach won’t speak to them. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 30 May 2019 Each essay will identify a contemporary issue, discuss it through the lens of heathen myths, and suggest a solution based on heathen ideals. — Sigal Samuel, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2017 The intrigues of those heathen adversaries moreover qualified as badges of honor. — Robert Dallek, The Hive, 7 Sep. 2017 Generally they were born the slaves of barbarian masters, untaught in all the useful arts and occupations, reared in heathen darkness, they were transferred to shores enlightened by the rays of Christianity. — Joseph Goodman, AL.com, 25 May 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun To a heathen media person, Votto is the gift that keeps on giving. — Paul Daugherty, The Enquirer, 18 Aug. 2021 The war against the U.S.S.R. lasted nearly a decade, during which the United States and Saudi Arabia funded a campaign to frame the conflict as one between Islam and the heathen communists. — Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2021 In addition, both leaders rely on sorcerers – in the case of Pharaoh, the chartumim (magicians); in the case of Balak, the heathen prophet Balaam – to achieve their horrific goal. — Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 21 June 2021 Many perceived the Chinese to be a heathen race, unassimilable and alien to the American way of life. — Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2021 It has been denounced by other heathen religious groups for its views. — John Reinan, Star Tribune, 30 Apr. 2021 Rather than indulge her heathen wishes, the school’s PTA has cancelled the whole event. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2020 As a heathen, though, I am flattered by the attention. — David Harsanyi, National Review, 17 Nov. 2020 As a heathen journalist, the ability to follow Woods or Brooks Koepka or Justin Thomas without having patrons in my sightlines will be convenient. — Paul Daugherty, The Enquirer, 17 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heathen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.