pagan
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for pagan, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to religions or spiritual practices outside the major world religions, often nature-based or polytheistic.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use pagan
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin paganus, originally meaning "rural" or "civilian." Early Christians used it to describe country-dwellers who kept older, non-Christian beliefs.
Full origin of pagan →Frequently asked questions
What does “pagan” mean?
The word “pagan” means relating to religions or spiritual practices outside the major world religions, often nature-based or polytheistic. In plain terms, someone (or something) tied to an older, often nature-based religion outside mainstream Christianity, Islam, or Judaism.
How do you pronounce “pagan”?
“Pagan” is pronounced PAY-guhn (/ˈpeɪɡən/ in IPA).
How do you use “pagan” in a sentence?
Here is “pagan” used in a sentence: “The festival mixed pagan and Christian traditions.”
What part of speech is “pagan”?
Depending on how it is used, “pagan” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “pagan” come from?
The word “pagan” comes from Latin. From Latin paganus, originally meaning "rural" or "civilian." Early Christians used it to describe country-dwellers who kept older, non-Christian beliefs.
Is “pagan” a common word?
“Pagan” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pagan” have?
“Pagan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to religions or spiritual practices outside the major world religions, often nature-based or polytheistic.
What is the difference between "pagan" and "heathen"?
Both words describe people or practices outside the major world religions, often nature-based or polytheistic. "Heathen" carries a more archaic or occasionally dismissive tone in some contexts, while "pagan" is more commonly used today as a neutral term, including as a self-identifier for followers of nature-based or polytheistic spirituality.
Is "pagan" always used negatively?
Historically "pagan" was sometimes used dismissively by followers of major world religions, but today it functions largely as a neutral descriptive term, including as a self-identifier for people practicing modern nature-based or polytheistic traditions. Context and tone determine whether a given use reads as neutral or judgmental.
Can "pagan" be used as both a noun and an adjective?
Yes; as an adjective it describes religions or practices outside the major world religions, as in "pagan rituals," and as a noun it refers to a follower of such a religion, as in "she identifies as a pagan."