heathen — a person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially Christianity, Judaism, or Islam) as regarded by those who do
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially Christianity, Judaism, or Islam) as regarded by those who do
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhiːðən/
Example Sentences
- My grandfather thinks anyone who doesn't like baseball is a complete heathen.
- The ancient Romans considered the Germanic tribes to be heathens.
- She jokingly called her friends heathens for putting pineapple on pizza.
heathen
NOUN[/ˈhiːðən/]
a person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially Christianity, Judaism, or Islam) as regarded by those who do
The missionary called the village heathen for worshipping the old forest spirits.
The heathen have eaten while the preacher sits beaten.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Old English 'hǣthen', which is connected to 'heath' (wasteland or uncultivated moorland). As Christianity spread through medieval England, people living in remote heathland or rural areas outside cities who retained pagan beliefs became labeled with this term, eventually acquiring its sense of 'non-believer' or 'pagan'.
Breakdown
hǣthen derives from heath (uncultivated land) + the suffix -en (adjective or inhabitant marker), literally meaning 'dweller of the heath' or 'one from the wasteland', referencing those beyond Christian civilization.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandfather thinks anyone who doesn't like baseball is a complete heathen.”
“The ancient Romans considered the Germanic tribes to be heathens.”
“She jokingly called her friends heathens for putting pineapple on pizza.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.