Heathen
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for Heathen, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Historically, a person who does not follow one of the major world religions; more recently, a follower of modern pagan Heathenry.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use Heathen
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Historically used (often disparagingly) by Christians about non-believers; today it is mainly used either historically or as the neutral name for modern pagan Heathenry.
Etymology
Ultimately from the same root as "heath," originally describing people who lived on the wild heath outside Christianized towns.
Full origin of Heathen →Frequently asked questions
What does “Heathen” mean?
The word “Heathen” means historically, a person who does not follow one of the major world religions; more recently, a follower of modern pagan Heathenry.
How do you use “Heathen” in a sentence?
Here is “Heathen” used in a sentence: “The missionaries set out to convert the so-called heathens.”
What part of speech is “Heathen”?
Depending on how it is used, “Heathen” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “Heathen” a common word?
“Heathen” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Heathen” have?
“Heathen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: historically, a person who does not follow one of the major world religions; more recently, a follower of modern pagan Heathenry.