heathen

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈhiːðən/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular heathen

Plural heathens

1. (countable) A person who has no religion and does not believe in anything spiritual.

   An atheist doesn't believe in God, but a heathen doesn't believe in anything.

   We are all rational and rebellious heathens here.

2. (by extension) A wild or immoral person.

   Those kids were a bunch of heathens who did nothing but party.

   That bunch of heathens completely destroyed this place.

3. (often capitalized) A pagan who tries to follow the religion of ancient Germany or Scandinavia. This religion is often called Asatru or Heathenry.

   He is a very serious Heathen and prays to Odin and Thor everyday.

4. (often offensive) A person who is not a Christian.

Synonyms

• (religion) Asatruar

Related words

• atheism
• paganism

Adjective

Positive heathen

Comparative more heathen

Superlative most heathen

1. Not believing in any religion or anything spiritual. This could also mean an idea that is against all religion.

   I found him reading some heathen book that claimed to disprove God.

2. (by extension) Wild or immoral.

   Everything he does is totally heathen.

3. (often capitalized) Having to do with the religion of ancient Germany or Scandinavia; about Heathenry.
4. (often offensive) Not Christian.

   "The heathen [Aztec] gods cursed the gold...."—from Pirates of the Caribbean