heathen

Pluralheathens, heathen

1. 1
   pagan personnounoffensivecountable

   A person who is not a Christian, a Jew or a Muslim, or someone seen as having no religion.

   The old story tells of a heathen who became a monk.

   Early travelers wrote about the heathens they met on their journeys.

   UsageName the person's religion, or say they have no religion, as appropriate. Use pagan only when it fits their beliefs.

   Similarpagan, infidel, unbeliever

   Note
2. 2
   adjectiveoffensive

   Not belonging to the Christian, Jewish or Muslim faith.

   Archaeologists found heathen gods carved into the stones.

   The king banned the old heathen festivals.

   UsageName the religion instead. Use pagan only when it fits the beliefs.

   Similarpagan

   Note
3. 3
   uncultured personnouncountable

   A person who does not know or care about art, good manners or good taste.

   You've never read a book for fun? You heathen!

   The museum guide joked that we were a group of heathens.

   UsageOften a joke: only a heathen would do that.

   Similarphilistine, barbarian, savage

4. 4
   adjective

   Wild and rough, without good manners or culture.

   Leaving dirty dishes all over the house is a heathen habit.

   Grandma thinks playing loud music at dinner is heathen behavior.

   UsageOften a joke about bad taste: a heathen habit.

   Similarbarbaric, barbarous, uncivilized, savage, uncultured

   Oppositecivilized, cultured

   Note
5. 5
   Germanic believernouncountable

   Alternative letter-case form of Heathen. Used for a follower of Heathenry, a modern faith based on the old Germanic religion.

   My neighbor is a heathen who follows the old Norse gods.

   She became a heathen after reading about the old Germanic religion.

6. 6
   adjective

   Alternative letter-case form of Heathen. Used for things that belong to Heathenry, a modern faith based on the old Germanic religion.

   They follow heathen traditions based on the old Norse gods.

   The local heathen community meets in the woods each spring to honor the Germanic gods.

   Note

Showing meanings only. Show all 6