adj
Uncommon
pagan
PAY-guhn
Pagan (adj) means relating to religions or spiritual practices outside the major world religions, often nature-based or polytheistic. Example: “The festival mixed pagan and Christian traditions.”
adj
1
Relating to religions or spiritual practices outside the major world religions, often nature-based or polytheistic.
"The festival mixed pagan and Christian traditions."
"The museum has a display of pagan symbols found in ancient burial sites."
"Many old customs in the village have pagan origins, such as lighting spring bonfires."
noun
1
A follower of such a religion.
"Modern pagans often celebrate the solstices."
"The documentary followed a pagan who celebrates the changing seasons in the forest."
"A local pagan explained to us why the stone circle matters to her community."
How to use pagan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) tied to an older, often nature-based religion outside mainstream Christianity, Islam, or Judaism.
Common pairings
pagan ritual
pagan festival
neo-pagan
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The festival mixed _____ and Christian traditions.
Etymology
From Latin paganus, originally meaning "rural" or "civilian." Early Christians used it to describe country-dwellers who kept older, non-Christian beliefs.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for pagan
See all rhymes for 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."
