WordGarden.ioheathen
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈiːðən/
US
- /ˈhiðən/
Meanings
Noun
a term for a person described as outside a speaker's religion, especially Christianity; derogatory in many contemporary contexts
a person insulted as uncultured, ill-mannered, or lacking taste
Adjective
not belonging to or associated with a speaker's accepted religion; an offensive or polemical use, often archaic or historical
uncultured, ill-mannered, or contrary to accepted taste
Beyond the definition
The word "heathen" is an old term for someone who does not follow Christianity, and in many older texts it is used for people who follow older pagan religions. It often carries a judging tone, suggesting that the person is outside the "true" faith or seen as uncivilized. You will often meet it in history books, religious writing, and older literature, especially when people are talking about pre-Christian cultures such as Vikings or other northern European groups. In modern English, it can still sound insulting, though some people also use it jokingly for someone who behaves in a wild or improper way.
The word "heathen" has a long and complicated history. It comes from Old English hæþen and has long been used in Christian contexts for a person who does not follow Christianity. In many older texts, it especially refers to people who followed pagan religions rather than the God of the Bible.
As Christianity spread across Europe, the word was often used for people outside the church, including followers of local gods, tribal religions, and the older religions of northern Europe. In that setting, it was not just a label for religious difference; it often carried the idea that such people were spiritually mistaken, uncivilized, or morally inferior. Because of that, the word has often been tied to prejudice and to the way dominant groups described those they wanted to convert or control.
You will find the term throughout historical writing, sermons, missionary language, and classic literature. In many of those sources, it clearly sounds negative. It can mean "non-Christian," but it may also suggest someone viewed as wild, godless, or outside accepted society. That is why the word is not a simple neutral synonym for "person of another religion."
Today, "heathen" is still used in a few different ways. Sometimes it is a real insult for a person seen as irreligious or badly behaved. Sometimes it is used jokingly, as when someone calls a messy child or a rude friend "a little heathen." At the same time, some modern pagan groups, especially in Germanic Heathenry, use the word as a chosen name for their own beliefs. Because of that mix of history, insult, humor, and self-identification, the meaning depends heavily on context.
Examples
- 1
Religious outsiders
In old church writings, people outside the faith were often described as heathens.
- 2
Customs
The new rulers tried to stamp out what they called heathen customs.
- 3
Playful insult
Some parents jokingly call noisy, messy children little heathens.
- Usagelittle heathen/little heathens
a playful insult for someone badly behaved
- 4
Mock criticism
"You used my good knife to open a paint can? You heathen," she said.
See also
Similar
- pagan
- nonbeliever
- unbeliever
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- believer
- coreligionist
Used with (collocations)
- a bunch of heathens
- convert the heathen
- heathen practices
Word family
- heathenism
Explore
- religious othering
- missionary language
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- heathennounadjective